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[| The Myth of the Xia Dynasty]

Sarah Allan [|The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland] No. 2 (1984), pp. 242-256 Published by: Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25211710

This is a journal article describing the possibility of the existence of the Xia Dynasty. It is entitled the “Myth of the Xia Dynasty” because it looks into the mythological state and whether any of the emperors or sites existed. Throughout the article, author Sarah Allen, looks at the archeological evidence, Chinese legends and mythology, information on the Shang Dynasty, whether there exists a connection between the Shang and the Xia dynasty, and connection between the mythology and historical artifacts. In addition, Allen attempts to study the cosmology and genealogy of the emperors of China to see if a connection could be made to conclude the existence of the Xia Dynasty. Although this article looks more closely at the myths associated with the Xia Dynasty, the author attempts to draw a conclusion whether any historical basis is found within the myth. Although she discovers known, she does mention that recent discoveries of archeological sites seem to provide evidence for the existence of a dynasty before the Shang Dynasty. This article is useful to people interested in the subject of Chinese history for a number of reasons including understanding of early states and whether there lies any truth in myths. In addition, archeological evidence is brought to light and questioned as is the existence of states and dynastic power before the Shang Dynasty.

1. Allen, Sarah. "The Myth of the Xia Dynasty." [|The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland]. [|Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland]. No.2:1984 242-256. [].