China Syma Qian

Written monuments tell us that the period of Shan-yin rule in the Middle China plain was preceded by a time called in the historical tradition the Xia dynasty. Ancient Chinese historian Sima Qian, who created in the I century. BC. E. His famous "Historical Notes", singles out the era of the "three dynasties" (Xia, Shang-Yin and Zhou), which he contrasts with the previous time of the "five emperors". Sima Qian was the son of his century and thought of modern categories. Nevertheless, in his description of the acts of the ancient "emperors", traits are discerned that allow one to determine their place in the socio-historical process.

One of the "five emperors" was a certain Yao, a wise and worthy ruler who, aged, began to seek a successor among his subjects. His choice he stopped on Shu-no, who showed the ability and proved his right to be Yao's successor. Shun ruled as successfully as his predecessor, and then, following his example, transferred the throne to the energetic and capable of Yui. However, the latter broke the tradition, and his son succeeded him. So the Xia dynasty arose.

Apparently, in this legend we heard echoes of the most important social changes, which marked the destruction of the former primitive communal orders and led to the emergence of hereditary power. At present, science does not have indisputable evidence of the historicity of the Xia dynasty. China Syma Qian.

But the existence in the XVII-XI centuries. BC. E. Pro-state education Shang-Yin is proved by the finds of epigraphic monuments of that time - the so-called Yin mystery inscriptions. Deciphering and interpretation of these sources (along with the actual archaeological data) allows us to restore the main stages of the development of Yin society.

Many features in Yin culture indicate traditions that date back to the late Neolithic. During the Yin period, a relatively high level of technical skills in the field of metallurgy (bronze processing) was achieved, but these achievements hardly affected the specificity of the tools in the main sphere of social production-agriculture: the fields, as before, were treated mainly with wooden and stone implements, and The bronze was used mainly for making weapons and ritual utensils.

China Syma Qian