Shang dynasty

The Shang dynasty ruled in the Yellow River valley from about 1600 to about 1046 BC, founded by Tang, also known as Tai Yi, after he overthrew Jie, the last king of the preceding Xia dynasty. Its capital moved several times, from earlier sites at Bo, Ao, Yan and Xiang to the significant late capital of Yin, near modern Anyang, and to Zhaoge near modern Qi County. Covering approximately 1,250,000 square kilometers by around 1122 BC, the Shang is the earliest dynasty in traditional Chinese history firmly supported by archaeological evidence, producing the earliest known examples of Chinese writing on oracle bones and advancing bronze working and military technology, including chariots that appeared around 1200 BC. The dynasty ended when its last king, Di Xin, was defeated by Wu of Zhou at the Battle of Muye around 1046 BC and took his own life after his army's defeat, and the Zhou dynasty succeeded it.