Source A: Rituals Honoring Ancestors

"In the Shang Dynasty, ancestors played a central role in the lives of the people. They believed that paying respect to ancestors ensured their favor and protection. Rituals involved offerings of food, wine, and sacrifices, which were performed at ancestral altars. The king and nobility conducted elaborate ceremonies to honor their ancestors, believing that these spirits influenced the well-being of the living community. The ancestors were seen as guardians who continued to influence the world from the afterlife. Such practices reinforced social hierarchy and family loyalty, emphasizing the importance of lineage and tradition in Shang society. These rituals were often recorded in oracle bones, which contained questions addressed to ancestors about harvests, health, and war."* Provenance: Anonymous Shang court scribes, 1200–1046 BCE, oracle bone inscriptions.