Bronze

=**BRONZE IN THE ZHOU DYNASTY**=

**By Rizan**
The Zhou dynasty in Ancient China was a great dynasty. It was the longest dynasty in the history of Ancient China. There were advancements in all the subjects. There were advancements in their beliefs and religions, their language and writing, their architecture, and their institutes. There were also many achievements in the art of science and technology. One of these many achievements was the advancement in bronze.

Although there were many advancements with bronze in the Zhou dynasty, bronze was actually discovered in the Shang dynasty. So the Zhou were not the first people to use bronze. People in the Shang dynasty also used bronze. In 2000 B.C.E., it was the start of the Bronze Age in China. The Bronze Age in China lasted about 2000 years. Now to discover what they used bronze for…

Bronze was used for many things during the Zhou dynasty. During the Shang dynasty, bronze was also used for many things. The Shang had used bronze to make vessels. They made food vessels and wine vessels. A lot of the wine vessels were shaped like animals, at the spout of the vessel, or the vessel itself. The people of the Zhou had made the bronze vessels for the Shang. Since they made the bronze vessels for the Shang, the already had lots of experience with bronze.

During the Zhou dynasty, bronze was used for many things. The Zhou had been known for their bronze bells. Bronze bells were the most important instrument in the Zhou dynasty. Bronze bells were played in a ritual orchestra comprising of stone chimes, zithers, flutes, and drums at celebrations and huge feasts. Crafting a bronze bell was very difficult to achieve so only skilled bronze casters could manage it. Bronze was also made into weapons for soldiers to carry into battle. Bronze was also crafted into mirror during the Zhou dynasty. Bronze was also crafted into many other things in other countries.



Bronze is still used for many things today. However, bronze is not used in many vessels, vases, pots, and other containers today. But, bronze is still used for some thing. For one use, bronze is made into trophies and medals, usually for people that reach third place in an event or a competition. The use of bronze is dwindling. There are not that many objects made of bronze as there were back in the Zhou dynasty. However, that doesn't mean there can't be another bronze age for the U.S. in the future.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

• What was the most important instrument in the Zhou dynasty?

• When did the Bronze Age in China start?

• What is one example of how bronze in used today?