The
Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project was a multi-discipline project commissioned by the
People's Republic of ChinaThe People's Republic of China , commonly known as China, is the largest country in East Asia and the most populous in the world with over 1.3 billion people, approximately one-fifth of the world's population...
in 1996 to determine with accuracy the location and time frame of the
Xia DynastyThe Xia Dynasty of China is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun gave his throne to him...
, the
Shang DynastyThe Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia Dynasty. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper", in the Yellow River valley...
and the
Zhou DynastyThe Zhou Dynasty followed the Shang Dynasty and was followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history—though the actual political and military control of China by the dynasty only lasted during the Western Zhou...
. Some 200 experts took part in the project. The project results were released in November 2000.
Conventionally, the year 841 BC marked the start of
GongheThe Gonghe regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian , during the Gonghe regency, the Zhou Dynasty was ruled jointly by two dukes -- the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Zhao The Gonghe (共和) regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the...
regency, during the Zhou Dynasty, and the first year of consecutive annual dating of Chinese history.
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The
Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project was a multi-discipline project commissioned by the
People's Republic of ChinaThe People's Republic of China , commonly known as China, is the largest country in East Asia and the most populous in the world with over 1.3 billion people, approximately one-fifth of the world's population...
in 1996 to determine with accuracy the location and time frame of the
Xia DynastyThe Xia Dynasty of China is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun gave his throne to him...
, the
Shang DynastyThe Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia Dynasty. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper", in the Yellow River valley...
and the
Zhou DynastyThe Zhou Dynasty followed the Shang Dynasty and was followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history—though the actual political and military control of China by the dynasty only lasted during the Western Zhou...
. Some 200 experts took part in the project. The project results were released in November 2000.
Conventionally, the year 841 BC marked the start of
GongheThe Gonghe regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian , during the Gonghe regency, the Zhou Dynasty was ruled jointly by two dukes -- the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Zhao The Gonghe (共和) regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the...
regency, during the Zhou Dynasty, and the first year of consecutive annual dating of Chinese history. The Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project set out to provide exact dates for prior to then. There have, however, been several controversies relating to the project.
Methodology
The project correlated
radiocarbon datingRadiocarbon dating, or carbon dating, is a radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 to determine the age of carbonaceous materials up to about 60,000 years. Raw, i.e. uncalibrated, radiocarbon ages are usually reported in radiocarbon years "Before Present"...
,
archaeologicalArchaeology or archeology is the science that studies human cultures through the recovery, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of material culture and environmental data, including architecture, artifacts, biofacts, and landscapes...
dating methods, historical textual analysis, astronomy, and used other interdisciplinary methods to achieve more temporal and geographic accuracy.
Controversies
There is some controversy over the results of the project. One of the criticisms is that the project supports the concept of a 5,000-year, unbroken and homogenous history of China, wherein the three ancient dynasties (Xia, Shang and Zhou) were large and powerful states—ignoring that many other groups of people (perhaps equally advanced) existed throughout China and Central Asia during this period.
Technical controversies involve the following matters.
- First, the archaeological boundaries between Xia and Shang and between Shang and Zhou have been disputed partly due to the methods adopted for radiocarbon-dating.
- Second, the radiocarbon dates were generally specified with only 68%-confidence intervals, instead of the standard 95%-confidence intervals; this makes the date ranges narrower than they properly should be.
- Third, the principal astronomical calculation (for a solar eclipse in 899 BC) is incorrect.
- Fourth, it has been argued that the astronomical-literatures bases of the project are ill-founded. This was partly caused by persistent doubts about the reliability and interpretation of the historical records used for the deduction. It was also partly caused by selective use of the presumed historical record (which, if used in its entirety, might have no solution at all).
- Fifth, critical changes have been introduced into the bronze vessel inscriptions, which affect the entire chronology.
- Finally, lack of understanding of the ancient calendar further complicated the matter.
Claimed results
- All four phases of Erlitou culture were part of the Xia Dynasty.
- The Western Zhou period was precisely dated.
Chronology of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasty
These are the dates for the three dynasties, provided for by the report of the Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project:
- Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty of China is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun gave his throne to him...
: 17 kings (2070BC-1600BC)
- Early Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia Dynasty. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper", in the Yellow River valley...
: 19 kings (1600BC-1300BC)
- Late Shang Dynasty:
- Pangeng
Pán Gēng was a Shang Dynasty King of China. He is best known for having moved the capital of the Shang Dynasty to Yīn....
, XiaoxinXiao Xin was a Shang Dynasty King of China.In the Records of the Grand Historian he was listed by Sima Qian as the twentieth Shang king, succeeding his older brother Pan Geng...
, XiaoyiXiao Yi was a Shang Dynasty King of China.In the Records of the Grand Historian he was listed by Sima Qian as the twenty-first Shang king, succeeding his older brother Xiao Xin...
(1300-1251)
- Wuding
Wu Ding was a Shang Dynasty King of China.His is the first historically verifiable name in the history of Chinese dynasties...
(1250-1192)
- Zugeng
Zu Geng was king of the Shang Dynasty of China. His given name is Yao .His capital was at Yin .On the 12th year of his regime, he sent troop to fight Rong people in the west until winter....
, ZujiaZu Jia was king of the Shang Dynasty of China. His personal name was . His another name is Di Jia in the book of Guoyu .His capital was at Yin .In the 12th year of his regime, he sent troop to fight Rong people in the west until winter....
, LinxinLin Xin was king of the Shang Dynasty of China. His name by Bamboo Annals is Feng Xin , another book The Historic People of Han Book also called him Feng Xin.He got his throne in the year of Gengyan . His capital was at Yin ....
, Kang DingKangding or Dardo is the name of a county in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan Province, China. It is administrated at the city of Kangding...
(1191-1148)
- Wuyi
Wu Yi was king of the Shang Dynasty of China from 1147BC to 1112BC. His given name is Qu .According to Bamboo Annals, His capial was at Yin .One of the vassal Fen moved to Qizhou ....
(1147-1113)
- Wending
Wen Ding was king of the Shang Dynasty of China from 1112BC to 1102BC. Another name Da Ding , and his given name is Tuo .According to Bamboo Annals, His capial was at Yin or Zimou ....
(1112-1102)
- Diyi
Di Yi was king of the Shang Dynasty of China from 1101BC to 1076BC.His name is Xian . His capital was at Yin .According to Bamboo Annals, On the third year of his regime, he ordered Nanzhong to fight Kun Barbarians and built Sufang City after winning the battle...
(1101-1076)
- Dixin
Di Xin, or Emperor Xin of Shang , born Zi Shou was the last king of the Shang Dynasty. He was later given the pejorative nickname Zhòu Di Xin, or Emperor Xin of Shang (Chinese: 帝辛), born Zi Shou (Chinese: 子受) was the last king of the Shang Dynasty. He...
(1075-1046)
- Western Zhou Dynasty:
- Wuwang
King Wu of Zhou or King Wu of Chou was the first sovereign, or ruler of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Various sources quoted that he died at the age of 93, 54 or 43. He was considered a just and able leader. Zhou Gong Dan was one of his brothers....
(1046-1043)
- Chengwang
King Cheng of Zhou or King Ch'eng of Chou was the second sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.King Cheng was young when he ascended the throne. His uncle, Archduke Zhougong , fearing that Shang forces might rise again under the possible weak rule by a young ruler, became the regent and supervised...
(1042-1021)
- Kangwang
King Kang of Zhou or King K'ang of Chou was the third sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.King Kang followed his father King Cheng's policy and expanded the Zhou territory in the North and in the West. He also repressed a rebellion in the east...
(1020-996)
- Zhaowang
King Zhao of Zhou or King Chao of Chou was the fourth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.Zhao's reign occurred at a point when the Zhou Dynasty had expanded across the central plains of China and turned its attention to South China...
(995-977)
- Muwang
King Mu of Zhou or King Mu of Chou or Mu Wang was the fifth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Life:King Mu Wang came into power after his father King Zhao's death during his tour to the South. King Mu was perhaps the most pivotal emperor of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty, reigning nearly sixty-six...
(976-922)
- Gongwang
King Gong of Zhou or King Kung of Chou was the sixth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information:
| Family name | Ji in Chinese |
...
(922-900)
- Yiwang
King Yi of Zhou or King I of Chou was the seventh sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information:
| Family name | Ji in Chinese |
...
(899-892)
- Xiaowang
King Xiao of Zhou or King Hsiao of Chou was the eighth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information:
| Family name | Ji in Chinese |
...
(891-886)
- Yiwang
King Yi of Zhou or King I of Chou was the ninth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information:
| Family name | Ji in Chinese |
...
(885-878)
- Liwang
King Li of Zhou was the tenth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty....
(877-841)
- Gonghe
The Gonghe regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian , during the Gonghe regency, the Zhou Dynasty was ruled jointly by two dukes -- the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Zhao The Gonghe (共和) regency ruled China from 841 BC to 828 BC.According to the...
(841-828)
- Xuanwang
King Xuan of Zhou was the eleventh sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information:
| Family name | Ji in Chinese |
...
(827-782)
- Youwang
King You of Zhou was the twelfth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the last of Western Zhou Dynasty....
(781-771)