Changes

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. They are associated with the time of the flood. After the flood waters receded, the Xia grew weak. They 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>

The Xia myth was later reworked by the Zhou dynasty. The Zhou version of the myth emphasizes the shift of the "mandate of heaven" from the Xia to the Shang. The last Xia ruler was said to be an immoral tyrant, much like the last Shang ruler. Zhou religion, including this myth, is the basis of Chinese Native Religion.

The Xia myth was reworked during the Zhou dynasty. The Zhou version of the myth emphasizes the shift of the "mandate of heaven" from the Xia to the Shang. This introduces a doctrine that legitimizes the overthrow of a dynasty. The last Xia ruler was said to be an immoral tyrant, much like the last Shang ruler. Zhou religion, including this myth, is the basis of Chinese Native Religion.

The following is the list of rulers of Xia dynasty as given by [[Sima Qian]].

The following is the list of rulers of Xia dynasty as given by [[Sima Qian]].