For many years, the Xia Dynasty was thought to be a part of a myth
that the Chinese tell as part of their history. The Xia Dynasty was in oral
histories, but no archaeological evidence was found of it until 1959.
Excavations at Erlitous, in the city of Yanshi, uncovered what was most likely
a capital of the Xia Dynasty. The site showed that the people were direct
ancestors of the Lungshan and were predecessors of
the Shang. Radiocarbon dates from this site indicate
that they existed from 2100 to 1800 B.C. Despite this new archaeological
evidence of the Xia, they are not universally accepted as a true dynasty.
The Xia were agrarian people, with bronze weapons and pottery. The ruling families used elaborate and dramatic rituals to confirm their power to govern. The rulers often acted as shamans, communicating with spirits for help and guidance.
Dynasties of Ancient China
