Zhengzhou Shang City

Zhengzhou Shang City is a significant archaeological site in Henan, China, representing the Bronze Age Erligang culture. Established around 1630 BCE, it features massive city walls, suggesting its role as a possible capital of the Shang Dynasty. The city was rectangular, with walls measuring approximately 6,960 meters in perimeter, and contained areas for royal habitation, workshops, and water reservoirs. The site provides crucial insights into urban planning and the socio-political structure of early Chinese civilizations. Despite challenges in excavation due to modern urban development, significant finds include remnants of palaces and craft workshops, underlining the city's importance in the early development of Chinese civilization, before its decline around 1400 BCE.