A major
factor in Shang economy was Bronze. After
Shang craft
workers found that mixing tin and copper created
this precious metal, China was never the
same. The Chinese made many things out of
this new found metal. They traded these goods only
within China's boundaries, because of the mountains
that made up the borders prevented them from the
realization of other civilizations in the
world.
Farming
Money
In the
beginning of the Shang dynasty they used the shells
of snails for money. But as the dynasty progressed
they started using bronze coins and what you see
below which is call "Knife Money". They used this
money to buy things at the market and other places
needed.
Farming
was a very big part of not only daily life, but
industry as well. Almost all of the food that the
Chinese ate came from the farm. Some of the food
they grew were
millet, wheat, and possibly rice.