商
(Shang)
Trade routes are found mainly around the Shang Dynasty capitals and around the major rivers, the Yellow River and the Yangtze (or Chang Jiang) River. Traders rarely traded internationally. Shang traders tended to avoid foreigners. This is an exception to Fujian, Taiwan, Korea, and other nearby regions. Traders traded items made by artisans, and sculptors. Skilled Chinese artisans carved jade and marble, made porcelain tableware, wove silk, painted on silk with ink, and made many items from bronze. The Bronze Age took place during the Shang Dynasty. As a result, bronze was a large part of trade. Bronze was used to make chariots, vessels, weapons, and even instruments. Bronze was very important to the Shang; the use of bronze chariots and weapons allowed the Shang to overthrow the Xia. Bronze casters made instruments from bronze such as the Xun, and drums. Sculptors carved designs into bronze, jade, and pottery.
"Jade, along with bronze, represents the highest achievement of Bronze Age material culture."