Xia Dynasty — 夏朝
Xià Cháo · c. 2070–1600 BCE
Key Facts
- Dynasty
- Xia Dynasty (夏朝, Xià Cháo)
- Period
- c. 2070–1600 BCE
- Capital
- Erlitou (disputed)
- Notable for
- Earliest calendar traditions
The Xia is recorded as the first hereditary dynasty in classical Chinese historiography. The Bamboo Annals and Sima Qian's Shiji document its founding by Yu the Great after taming the flood. Archaeological finds at Erlitou suggest a Bronze Age state correlating with Xia chronology. The Xia is credited with establishing the earliest calendar systems that form the basis of the sexagenary cycle.
Capital & Period
Key Contributions
The Xia Dynasty made lasting contributions to Chinese zodiac, calendar, and metaphysical traditions:
- Earliest calendar traditions
- Foundational flood-control mythology
- Hereditary succession model
Frequently Asked Questions
The Xia Dynasty (夏朝, Xià Cháo) spanned c. 2070–1600 BCE, with its capital at Erlitou (disputed).
The Xia Dynasty's major contributions include: Earliest calendar traditions; Foundational flood-control mythology; Hereditary succession model.
Discussion
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