The Xia Dynasty China’s First Dynasty

Before the Xia About 12,000 years ago, a group of early people settled along the Yellow River. They lived in mud houses. Archaeologists have found the remains of their homes. But it was not until around 5,000 years ago that things really started happening in ancient China along the Yellow River (the Huang He River). A new farming group appeared, and settled along the Yellow River. These were the Longshan people. These early people did not write things down. So the only record we have of their existence is the ruins of their villages, and a few ancient stories and legends.

The First Dynasty Archaeologists believe the Xia Dynasty (sometimes called the Hsia Dynasty) began around the year 2000 BCE, about 4,000 years ago. Legend says this dynasty was founded by the best engineer from the Longshan people (also known as the Black Pottery Culture), who settled along the Huang He (Yellow) River a thousand years earlier.

Yu the Great This engineer became known as Yu the Great, and was made emperor because of his introducing of flood control to his people. The Yellow River flooded every year, and it caused much destruction to homes and crops. This is why it was called the “Great Sorrow”. Previous rulers had tried to dam or block the river, but this did not work. Yu instead built channels and drainage paths so the river could go around homes. Yu the Great became the first of many emperors in a long line of dynasties. Because of this, as well as being known as a just and fair ruler, caused him to be one of few Chinese emperors to be awarded “the Great” as a title.

An Unwritten History Our knowledge of people during Xia times comes from ancient stories and the ruins of villages. Archaeologists have found no written records so far. Recent discoveries have shown that there was a great flood around 1900 BCE, which provides some evidence for the Xia people, but some scientists are still skeptical. From what scientists can tell, these early people were very advanced for their time. They worked together and used a system of irrigation to water the fields. They baked bricks in ovens for strong building materials. The floors of their huts were plaster instead of earth. They used a potter’s wheel to make vases and pots. And they made beautiful, colorfully dyed and designed woven fabrics, made from silk!

Gods of Early China The people were deeply religious. They believed in the gods of nature, like the river god, the rain god, and the earth god. They believed in a great many gods, but the most powerful god was the sky god, T'ien, the king of all the gods, a god more powerful than any earthbound king. T’ien later changed to Tian, which is Chinese for “Heaven”.

The Spring Festival In Xia times, peasants celebrated the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival was a time to worship the gods of agriculture. They wanted their crops to grow. They also wanted their friends and families to grow. Several villages would gather for the Festival. This is when young boys and girls met sometimes for the first time, and found husbands and wives. Girls got married at about 15. Boys also married when they were about 15, or a little older. Today, the Spring Festival is often known as the Chinese New Year.