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|p=Xià cháo

|p=Xià cháo

|w=Hsia⁴ ch'ao²

|w=Hsia⁴ ch'ao²

}}The '''Xia dynasty''' is an era of Chinese history that preceded the [[Shang dynasty]]. The first of the traditional sequence of Chinese dynasties, and it is dated as c. 2070 BC – c. 1600 BC. The Chinese press describes the Xia as a historical, although Western scholars generally classify it as legendary. The rulers of the [[Zhou dynasty]] (c. 1046–256 BC) used the supposed Shang overthrow of the Xia to justify their own overthrow of the Shang.<ref name=Arthur>The legend of the the Xia can be compared to the legend of the King Arthur, which was created by Norman writers to justify the Norman Conquest.</ref>

}}The '''Xia dynasty''' is an era of Chinese history that preceded the [[Shang dynasty]]. The first of the traditional sequence of Chinese dynasties, and it is dated as c. 2070 BC – c. 1600 BC. The Chinese press describes the Xia as historical, although Western scholars generally classify it as legendary.<ref>Chen Ning, "[http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/topic/31689-the-controversy-of-the-xia-shang-zhou-chronology-p/ The Controversy of the Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project]" (2009). For China to have 5,000 years of history, the Xia must be treated as historical. The 5,000-year claim is one the Chinese government is much attached to.</ref>  The rulers of the [[Zhou dynasty]] (c. 1046–256 BC) used the supposed Shang overthrow of the Xia to justify their own overthrow of the Shang.<ref name=Arthur>The legend of the the Xia can be compared to the legend of the King Arthur, which was created by Norman writers to justify the Norman Conquest.</ref>

Shun, the last of the legendary three sovereigns, picked Yu the Great (c. 2200 - 2100 BC) as his successor. Yu was able to control a worldwide flood by building embankments. Yu's son succeeded him, making Yu the founder of a dynasty. There were sixteen Xia rulers. The last was Jie, who fell in love with a woman who was both beautiful and cruel. Outraged rebels led by Zi Lü overthrew the Xia and established the Shang dynasty.<ref>"[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/273749/Xia-dynasty Xia dynasty]," ''Britannica''</ref>

Shun, the last of the legendary three sovereigns, picked Yu the Great (c. 2200 - 2100 BC) as his successor. Yu was able to control a worldwide flood by building embankments. Yu's son succeeded him, making Yu the founder of a dynasty. There were sixteen Xia rulers. The last was Jie, who fell in love with a woman who was both beautiful and cruel. Outraged rebels led by Zi Lü overthrew the Xia and established the Shang dynasty.<ref>"[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/273749/Xia-dynasty Xia dynasty]," ''Britannica''</ref>

{{Template:History of China}}

{{Template:History of China}}

Archaeological sites from the Xia period show mixed copper and stone use, a transition between the earlier neolithic culture and the bronze age culture of the Shang. The most notable of these sites is Erlitou in Henan Province.<ref>"[http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Nov/79635.htm./Stunning Capital of Xia Dynasty Unearthed]", ''China Daily'', Nov. 11, 2003.</ref> This site is very large for the period and can be thought of as a major city.

Archaeological sites from the Xia period show mixed copper and stone use, a transition between the earlier neolithic culture and the bronze age culture of the Shang. The most notable of these sites is Erlitou in Henan Province.<ref>"[http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Nov/79635.htm./ Stunning Capital of Xia Dynasty Unearthed]", ''China Daily'', Nov. 11, 2003.</ref> This site is very large for the period and can be thought of as a major city.

In Shang mythology, the Xia are described as dark and watery. The Shang and Xia lived side by side. There is no dynastic handover, nor is there any suggestion that the Shang were ever subordinate to the Xia. The Xia are associated with the time of the flood. After the flood waters receded, they grew weak. The Xia were vanquished by the Shang sun-kings and eventually departed. Shang records suggest that the Xia had a complex system of laws, as well as an unusual religion.<ref>Allan, Sarah, "[http://www.jstor.org/pss/25211710 The myth of the Xia dynasty]," ''The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society'', No. 2, 1984.</ref>

In Shang mythology, the Xia are described as dark and watery. The Shang and Xia lived side by side. There is no dynastic handover, nor is there any suggestion that the Shang were ever subordinate to the Xia. The Xia are associated with the time of the flood. After the flood waters receded, they grew weak. The Xia were vanquished by the Shang sun-kings and eventually departed. Shang records suggest that the Xia had a complex system of laws, as well as an unusual religion.<ref>Allan, Sarah, "[http://www.jstor.org/pss/25211710 The myth of the Xia dynasty]," ''The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society'', No. 2, 1984.</ref>