The civilization on the Yellow River at Anyang and Loyang arose about 2000 B.C. The Shang Empire emerged about 1500 B.C. and survived until about 1000 B.C. The excavation at the Shang capital of Anyang reveal chariot, bronze weapons and the compound bow indicating a conquest of invaders from the steppe regions of Asia. The Shang people were skilled in casting bronze. Writing developed in ideographic characters which later evolved into the Chinese characters.