The Shang disappeared from history for millennia before chance discoveries in the early 20th century revealed a glimpse of China's first great dynasty. More than 3,500 years ago, the Shang created a state on the Yellow River from where they came to dominate an extensive empire. As this book reveals, over the last 100 years, historians have built a detailed picture of a highly sophisticated civilisation, which laid the foundations for much of modern Chinese life. .

The roots of the empire -- Building the empire -- The height of the empire -- The peoples of the empire -- Life in the empire -- Fall of the empire -- Timeline.