Relations between the Shang and neighboring polities (c. 1600–1046 BCE)

1. Early Shang polity consolidates in Henan

   Jan 1, 1600 BCELabels: Shang polity, Henan

   • Britannica
   • MetMuseum

2. Erligang expansion reaches the middle Yangzi

   Jan 1, 1500 BCELabels: Erligang horizon, Panlongcheng

   • Panlongcheng
   • Britannica

3. Capital relocated to Yin, strengthening royal control

   Jan 1, 1300 BCELabels: King Pan, Yin Anyang

   • UNESCO
   • Britannica
   • PanGeng

4. Yin emerges as a major late-Shang capital

   Jan 1, 1300 BCELabels: Yinxu, late Shang

   • UNESCO
   • Yinxu

5. Oracle-bone divination records interstate concerns

   Jan 1, 1250 BCELabels: oracle bones, Yinxu

   • OracleBone
   • OracleScript
   • UNESCO

6. Wu Ding’s reign marks peak external campaigning

   Jan 1, 1250 BCELabels: Wu Ding, Shang campaigns

   • Britannica
   • XSZProject
   • Yinxu

7. Fu Hao leads campaigns against neighboring enemies

   Jan 1, 1250 BCELabels: Fu Hao, Wu Ding

   • FuHao
   • FuHaoTomb

8. Tufang defeated in a decisive Shang campaign

   Jan 1, 1250 BCELabels: Tufang, Shang campaign

   • FuHao
   • FuHaoTomb

9. War captives from western ‘Qiang’ appear in records

   Jan 1, 1200 BCELabels: Qiang, Yinxu

   • AmScientist
   • OracleBone

10. Zhou grows as a Shang-linked western polity

    Jan 1, 1100 BCELabels: Zhou, Wei River

    • Britannica
    • Muye

11. Coalition warfare culminates at the Battle of Muye

    Jan 1, 1046 BCELabels: Battle of, Di Xin

    • Muye
    • XSZProject

12. Shang dynasty ends; regional order shifts to Zhou

    Jan 1, 1046 BCELabels: Shang fall, Zhou ascendancy

    • Britannica
    • Muye