Xia Dynasty

For many years, the Xia Dynasty was thought to be a part of a myth that the Chinese tell as part of their history. The Xia Dynasty was in oral histories, but no archaeological evidence was found of it until 1959. Excavations at Erlitou, in the city of Yanshi, uncovered what was most likely a capital of the Xia Dynasty. The site showed that the people were direct ancestors of the Longshan and were predecessors of the Shang. Radiocarbon dates from this site indicate that they existed from 2100 to 1800 B.C. Despite this new archaeological evidence of the Xia, they are not universally accepted as a true dynasty. 

The Xia were agrarian people, with bronze weapons and pottery. The ruling families used elaborate and dramatic rituals to confirm their power to govern. The rulers often acted as shamans, communicating with spirits for help and guidance.

Rulers of Xia Dynasty

The following table lists the rulers of Xia Dynasty according to Sima Qian's Shiji (The Records of the Grand Historian). Unlike Sima's list of Shang Dynasty kings, which is closely matched by inscriptions on oracle bones from late in that period, records of Xia rulers have not yet been found in archeological excavations.

Order                

Reign                 

Chinese            

Pinyin              

Notes                                          

01                      

45

Yǔ

Also Yu the Great (大禹; Dà Yǔ)

02

10

Qǐ

Son of Yu

03

29

太康

Tai Kang

 

04

13

仲康

Zhòng Kāng

 

05

28

Xiāng

 

06

21

少康

Shào Kāng

Restored the corrupt Xia Dynasty

07

17

Zhù

 

08

26

Huái

 

09

18

Máng

 

10

16

Xiè

Son of Mang

11

59

不降

Bù Jiàng

 

12

21

Jiōng

 

13

21

Jǐn

 

14

31

孔甲

Kǒng Jiǎ

 

15

11

Gāo

 

16

11

Fā

 

17

52

Jié

Also Lu Gui (履癸, Lǚ Guǐ)


Recommended China Tour Packages

Ask Question

Share to