Xia,+Shang,+Zhou

= Xia Dynasty =


 * existed from 2200 B.C. to 1700 B.C. based on carbon dating
 * first archaeological evidence of dynasty found in 1959 in Yanshi

Highlights:

 * originally thought to be a mythical dynasty told in Chinese oral history
 * excavations in Yanshi uncovered the capital of this //very real// dynasty
 * Xia people were ancestors of the Lungshang and predecessors of the Shang
 * agrarian community which also produced bronze weaponry and pottery
 * Xia rulers acted as shamans, using their connection with the spirits to search for guidance
 * some still question the existence of the Xia dynasty, no written records from the period to confirm existence

Key Figures:
//Yu the Great //


 * first emperor of Xia dynasty known for combating flood
 * worked for 13 years building drainage system to stop flooding in Yellow River Valley
 * his emperorship became hereditary, first imperial dynasty recorded

//Jie //
 * last ruler of Xia, oppressive
 * abuse of power caused people to flee country
 * Shang took advantage of this weakness and overthrew dynasty in 1700 B.C.

Xia Artifacts:
Wine Vessel (//Jue//)

Xia Bell

Works Cited 1) The British Museum. "Xia Dynasty." AncientChina.co.uk. www.ancientchina.co.uk/staff/resources/background/bg2/bg2pdf.pdf (accessed February 23, 2010). 2) "Xia." Minnesota State University, Mankato. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/xia.html (accessed February 23, 2010).