Xia

The first of the Chinese dynasties of the Sandai period in China, according to tradition dated c 2205-1766 BC. It is said to have been overthrown by the Shang (Yin). Some archaeologists regard Erlitou as a Xia site and archaeological surveys have been undertaken at related sites in western Henan and southern Shanxi.

[Hsia]. According to tradition, the first Chinese dynasty. The Xia house is said to have ruled for 471 years and then to have been overthrown by the Shang. While the historicity of the Shang dynasty has been confirmed by the inscriptions on oracle bones unearthed at Anyang, the site of its last capital, no such decisive evidence of Xia activity has yet been found. Some archaeologists, however, regard Erlitou as a Xia site, and archaeological surveys now under way at related sites in western Henan and southern Shanxi have been undertaken in the express hope of identifying Xia remains.