Periodization of the Shang dynasty

Early to Late Shang

For the Shang dynasty from ca. 1600 BC to 1046 BC, there are commonly two main ways of periodization for its history, including dividing it to 2 phases or 3 phases.

Early and Late Shang

A common convention in terms of historiography is to divide the Shang dynasty into eras known as Early Shang and Late Shang. The dividing line between the two periods was in the reign of Pan Geng, who is traditionally said to have moved the capital to Anyang around 1298 BC, 14 years after ascending the throne. Early Shang had 17 kings with a total reign of 304 years (ca. 1600-1298 BC), while Late Shang had 13 kings with a total reign of 255 years (ca. 1298-1046 BC). Archaeologically, Early Shang is represented by the Erligang culture within the modern Chinese city of Zhengzhou and the Late Shang by the Yinxu assemblages.

Early Shang rulers:

• Da Yi
• Da Ding
• Da Jia
• Bu Bing
• Da Geng
• Xiao Jia
• Da Wu
• Lü Ji
• Zhong Ding
• Bu Ren
• Jian Jia
• Zu Yi
• Zu Xin
• Qiang Jia
• Zu Ding
• Nan Geng
• Xiang Jia

Late Shang rulers:

• Pan Geng
• Xiao Xin
• Xiao Yi
• Wu Ding
• Zu Geng
• Zu Jia
• Lin Xin
• Kang Ding
• Wu Yi
• Wen Wu Ding
• Di Yi
• Di Xin

Early, Middle, and Late Shang

The other more recent convention of periodization in terms of archaeology is to divide the Shang dynasty into three periods known as Early Shang, Middle Shang, and Late Shang. Although no written evidence has been found, the Erligang culture has been identified as Early Shang (ca. 1600–1400 BC), related to Middle Shang (ca. 1400–1250 BC) and Late Shang (ca. 1250–1046 BC) in Anyang, based on the similarity of the material remains. These periods are alternatively referred to as the "Erligang period", the "Xiaoshuangqiao-Huanbei period", and the "Anyang period" respectively. According to this convention, Middle Shang was a phase that is called by archaeologists a transition period after the Erligang period, and was the least well-known phase among the three. Also, in this convention Late Shang might begin with Wu Ding in the second half of the 13th century BC instead of Pen Geng, spanning the reigns of the last 9 kings of the Shang dynasty. The period from Wu Ding (the earliest figure in Chinese history mentioned in contemporary records) to the end of the dynasty was the earliest known literate civilization in China.

Shang remnants

With the conquest of the Shang dynasty in ca. 1046 BC, King Wu, the first king of the Zhou dynasty, appointed Wu Geng, son of the last Shang king deputy ruler of the East, in the old Shang capital as a vassal kingdom of the Zhou dynasty. To ensure Wu Geng's loyalty, three of King Wu's brothers (known as the Three Guards) were sent to watch over the Shang prince, and the newly conquered Eastern lands. Nevertheless, Shang royalists under Wu Geng joined the Rebellion of the Three Guards against the Duke of Zhou after King Wu's death, but the rebellion collapsed after three years, leaving Zhou in control of Shang territory. Members of the Shang clans were transferred to the distant lands to ensure the stability of the Zhou rule. With the support of the Duke of Zhou, King Cheng of Zhou enfeoffed Weizi, a half-brother of the last Shang king, as the Duke of Song, and the dukes of Song would maintain rites honouring the Shang kings until Qi conquered Song in 286 BC. Also, according to chronicles such as the Book of Documents and the Bamboo Annals, a disgruntled Shang prince named Jizi who had refused to cede power to the Zhou, left China with a small army and founded a state known as Gija Joseon in northwest Korea during the Gojoseon period of ancient Korean history. However, scholars debate the historical accuracy of this legend.