Xia Dynasty

The Xia Dynasty ({{zh-cpw |c=夏朝 |p=xìa cháo |w=Hsia-ch'ao}}), ca. 2033 BC–1562 BC, is the first dynasty to be described in Chinese historical records, which record the names of seventeen kings over fourteen generations. The legends of The Three August Ones and the Five Emperors precede this dynasty, and it is followed by the Shang dynasty.

Related Topics:
2033 BC - 1562 BC - The Three August Ones and the Five Emperors - Shang dynasty

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Until scientific excavations were made at early bronze-age sites at Anyang, Henan Province, in 1928, it was difficult to separate myth from reality in regard to the existence of the Xia Dynasty. But since then, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, archaeologists have uncovered urban sites, bronze implements, and tombs that point to the possible existence of the Xia civilization at the same locations cited in ancient Chinese historical texts. At a minimum, the Xia period marked an evolutionary stage between the late neolithic cultures and the typical Chinese urban civilization of the Shang dynasty. Agricultural technology improved drastically, with the invention of wine making and the improvement in horse herding. Carriages were also used in Xia Dynasty.

Related Topics:
Bronze-age - Anyang - Henan - 1928 - 1960s - 1970s - Neolithic

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Xia Dynasty resumed hereditary monarchy from the legendary Yellow Emperor times, and began the period of a family or a clan controlling everything in the nation (家天下). It was also during this period that the Chinese civilization developed a ruling structure that employed both a benign civilian government (文治) and harsh punishment for legal transgressions (刑罰). From this the earliest forms of Chinese legal codes came into being.

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Xia Dynasty is believed to encompass a territory east to Henan, Shandong and Hebei Provinces, west to Henan und Shanxi, south to Hubei and north to Hebei.

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Jie, the last ruler, was said to be a corrupt king. He was overthrown by T'ang, the leader of Shang people from the east.

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