Excavation site of Erlitou Culture in the west of Henan Province

 

Since the publication of the “Elaboration of the Chinese History Series” a few days ago, questions have been raised on A History of the Xia Dynasty written by Guo Yong, former editor of the Shanghai Educational Press Group. Scholars who doubt the historicity of ancient accounts of China’s history have once again questioned the existence of the Xia Dynasty, regarded as the first of China’s “Three Dynasties” (Xia, Shang and Zhou).

In response to this, Guo Yong says, “Much progress has been made in archaeological and research work of the relics of the Xia capital. The chronological project of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties has helped to clarify many questions. What’s more, scholars have found that the Xia was recorded in many edited ancient classics of different dynasties. We therefore have more materials and opportunities to learn about the Xia Dynasty. ”

Records show that the Xia Dynasty is believed to have stood for 470 years starting around the 21st century BC. Seventeen kings spanning fourteen generations ruled during this time until it was annexed by the Shang in around the 17th century BC. Guo Yong says that a study of the history of the Xia Dynasty requires a combination of archaeological materials, literature passed down from ancient times, myths and legends, which also applies to the study of other dynasties.

Although myths and legends are not facts of history, they still carry traces of information about ancient societies, giving historians more information about the beliefs of people living in ancient times. Zou Yilin, a professor of the Center for Historical Geographical Studies at Fudan University, said that the author of A History of the Xia Dynasty effectively combined archaeological materials, legends and literature. Although people can raise doubts about specific questions, the author’s narrative cannot be completely discredited, Zou said.

There have been publications about the history and civilization of the Xia Dynasty, such as The History of the Xia Dynasty and the Xia Culture by Zhan Ziqing; and A Look at the History of the Xia Dynasty by Zheng Jiexiang.

The view that the Xia Dynasty did exist and that Xia civilization reached an advanced stage is generally accepted in academia. Scholars who explore Xia culture focus more on relics of Longshan Culture and Erlitou Culture found in the west of Henan Province and the south of Shanxi Province. However, they have yet reached an agreement because of the theoretical and methodological divergence in the exploration of the Xia culture. Some scholars also put forward that it is still hard to relate any sites to the Xia Dynasty.