Home / Series / Foundations of Eastern Civilization / Aired Order / Season 1 / Episode 5

The Shang and Writing for the Gods

In this second lecture on the Shang dynasty, learn about the enigmatic “oracle bones” and the origins of Chinese writing. Then turn to the Shang society’s social organization, religious practices, and cosmology, and find out how one of the core cultural and philosophical beliefs of Eastern civilization—the concept of yin and yang—emerged during the Shang dynasty.

English
  • Runtime 30 minutes
  • Network The Great Courses
  • Created August 2, 2021 by
    mellymelsbells
  • Modified January 10, 2024 by
    eviesu