HST 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Shang Dynasty, Indus River, Water Buffalo
Document Summary
Communities that produce surpluses, including the origin of writing, literacy, domestication of animals, and to build towns and cities. Indus river flood plain: settled, wheat-growing farmers living in towns (first beginnings of a civilization) Rice was domesticated in southeast asia (murphy"s theory) North and central thailand and north vietnam, and diffused north into china. Rice and water buffalo migrated north into china. People migrate south, from china and tibet into southeast asia. 4,500 bce: farmers on flood plains of yellow river (huang he) domesticate millet. 1,500 bce: rice is domesticated in northern china and diffuses into korea and later, japan. Hybridity: new strains to adapt to colder weather and shorter growing seasons. Cultural core of china - china"s early dynasties (family lineage of rulers) + diffusions from other ancient culture cores (mesopotamia) Mandala built with vassal states in all directions. Surplus food captured by shang kings to support: A hereditary aristocracy (leaders buried with servants, slaves, etc. )
