In addition to being China’s first administrators, in the sense that they developed a coherent bureaucracy for their empire, (the first literate culture in East Asia were the Shang, and they were well known for crafting) ornate bronze ritual vessels.

A. the first literate culture in East Asia were the Shang, and they were well known for crafting
B. the first literate culture in East Asia were the Shang, well known as the crafters of
C. the Shang, as the first literate culture in East Asia, is well known for its crafting - bad construction
D. the Shang were the first literate culture in East Asia and are well known as the crafters of
E. the Shang were the first literate culture in East Asia and well known for its crafted

In addition to being China’s first administrators, (who are the first admininistrators - "the Shang") hence A and B are eliminated.

Its simliar to,

In addition to being first in the class , GMATKISS [:D] was also the leader in sports.
In addition to being first in the class , the leader in sports was GMATKISS

Hope you got the difference

GmatKiss wrote:
In addition to being first in the class , GMATKISS [:D] was also the leader in sports.
In addition to being first in the class , the leader in sports was GMATKISS

Nice explanation

IMO D

in addition to being China's first administrators - modifies the shang. C and E - usage of its is wrong.

well known as crafters of - right usage
well known for X is also right.

But how do you explain the tense problem, "are" and also well known for is idiomatic right???

sam2304 wrote:

GmatKiss wrote:
In addition to being first in the class , GMATKISS [:D] was also the leader in sports.
In addition to being first in the class , the leader in sports was GMATKISS

Nice explanation

IMO D

in addition to being China's first administrators - modifies the shang. C and E - usage of its is wrong.

well known as crafters of - right usage
well known for X is also right.

Not getting your query!

About the tense... "are" is ok since the Shang are STILL well-known to be the crafters of oranate bronze ritual vessels ...(it doesnt matter if the Shang are all dead)

tracyyahoo wrote:But how do you explain the tense problem, "are" and also well known for is idiomatic right???

Din't check the post. The usage of 'are' is same as explained by rohit - They are still well known.

well known for doing something
well known as doers of something
both are right.