the Characters and Relations of early Shang Cities

The article aims to understand the nature and function of the five walled cities of the early phase of Shang dynasty. After discussing their construction dates, their geographic locations and the related records in Chinese historic literature, the authors argue that Zhengxhou Shang City was the first capital of Shang, and the other ones, including Yuaqu Shang City, Dongxiafeng Shang City, Fucheng Shang City, as well as the smaller enclosure of Yanshi Shang City, were all military towns constructed for securing their victories while the Shang conquered the Xia state.