Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project Article Index for
Xia
Website Links For
Zhou
 

Information About

Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project





METHODOLOGY

The project correlated Radiocarbon Dating , Archaeological dating methods, historical textual analysis and used other interdisciplinary methods to achieve more accurate temporal and geographic accuracy.


CONTROVERSY

There is some controversy over the results of the project. One of the criticisms is that is supports the concept of a 6000-year, unbroken and homogenous history of China, wherein the Three Dynasties were large and powerful states--ignoring that many other groups of people existed throughout China and Central Asia during this period. Claims that this is a nationalistic pursuit have been levied based on statements such as those made by Song Jian who, in writing about the project, expressed embarrassment that the Egypt ians had a detailed history going back nearly 5000 years and the Chinese , as a people, did not.


RESULTS

  • All four phases of Erlitou culture were part of the Xia Dynasty.



REFERENCES

# Yun Kuen Lee, Building the chronology of early Chinese history. Asian Perspectives: the Journal of Archaeology for Asia and the Pacific 41.1 (Spring 2002): p15(28)