Xia Dynasty/Erlitou

Question 1

Yijing

Answer 1

“Book of Changes”
2 Parts: divination manual using hexagrams (combinations of 2 trigrams - 3 lines, made up of Yin (broken line) and Yang (solid line)) and analysis
By Fu Xi

Question 2

Pan Gu

Answer 2

Myth: Earth was one -> separated into yin and yang (dark and light matter). Pan Gu monster grew between them. As sky and Earth grew, Pan Gu was stretched until his death. His body makes the world, and humans are parasites on Pan Gu.
= origin of society

Question 3

Nuwa

Answer 3

sister or wife of Fu Xi. Had dragon tail, created people out of mud

Question 4

Fu Xi

Answer 4

Made Yi Jing, invented tools for fishing, hunting, domesticated animals, taught people importance of marriage

Question 5

Shen Nong

Answer 5

Divine farmer => agriculture and trade

Question 6

Huang Di

Answer 6

“Yellow Emperor” = suppressed rebellion, executed rebels. Created roads => communication, built first bureaucratic system, brought grain to people. Inventor of Chinese medecine.

Question 7

Yao and Shun

Answer 7

Yao = spread moral order and harmony. Shun = Yao’s successor: impoverished man known for keeping harmonious household, continued Yao’s work.

Question 8

Yu

Answer 8

redirected the Yellow River to control the Great Flood. Found Xia.

Question 9

Erlitou

Answer 9

Archaeological site in Yilou Basin of Yellow River, thriving culture.
4 phases of development.
Ritual practices: burial and sacrificial pits of artifacts, ie bronzes and ceramics.
Mystery of whether Erlitou was location of Xia dynasty:
1. No organized burial grounds
2. Not a distinct ethnic group