Final answer:
The claim that the Shang overthrew the Zhou is false; it was the Zhou who overthrew the Shang dynasty around 1046 BCE, marking a significant change in ancient Chinese civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Shang people overthrew the Zhou at around 1045 BCE is false. In fact, it was the opposite; the Zhou dynasty rose up and overthrew the Shang dynasty at around 1046 BCE as the Zhou grew dissatisfied with the Shang's despotic rule. The Zhou dynasty, which came to power after defeating the Shang in battle, was instrumental in the transition from the use of oracle bones for divination and reduced the scale of human sacrifices that were prevalent in Shang culture. They also introduced significant ideological changes and fostered a shared cultural identity, which has been formative to later Chinese civilization. The Zhou people initially settled in the Wei River Valley, to the west of the Shang, at a place called Zhouyuan. They transitioned from allies and vassals to the eventual conquerors of the Shang. This violent transition and the foundation of the Zhou dynasty marked a pivotal moment in Chinese history.