Findings at new site unlock stories of Xia Dynasty

For archaeologists who are dedicated to decoding the early stages of how a nation was formed in China, looking for clues of the Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC) has been a focal point.

As the first hereditary dynasty with a central kingship recorded in Chinese history, Xia has not yielded any written documentation of its time.

Nonetheless, continuous excavations on the massive Erlitou Site in Luoyang, Central China's Henan province, in the past decades have edged toward unwrapping the long-awaited answer for where the Xia capital was. Unearthed ritual relics and architectural ruins there reveal an aura of kings, and its location, time, and landscape echo historical recordings.