Coordinates: 34°42′6.33″N 112°41′49.48″E / 34.7017583°N 112.6970778°E / 34.7017583; 112.6970778

Erlitou 二里头
Location in north China
Location	China
Region	Henan
Coordinates	34°42′N 112°42′E / 34.7°N 112.7°E / 34.7; 112.7
History
Founded	1880 BCE
Abandoned	1520 BCE

The Erlitou culture (simplified Chinese: 二里头文化, traditional Chinese: 二里頭文化, pinyin: èrlǐtóu wénhuà) is a name given by archaeologists to an Early Bronze Age urban society that existed in China from 1880 BCE to 1520 BCE.^[1] The culture was named after the site discovered at Erlitou (二里頭村) in Yanshi, Henan Province. The culture was widely spread throughout Henan and Shanxi Province, and later appeared in Shaanxi and Hubei provinces. Most Chinese archaeologists^[2] identify the Erlitou culture as the site of the Xia Dynasty, while most Western archaeologists remain unconvinced of the connection between the Erlitou culture and the Xia Dynasty^{[citation needed]} since there are no extant written records linking Erlitou with the official history.

Erlitou site[link]

Bronze jue (wine vessel)

The Erlitou culture may have evolved from the matrix of Longshan culture. Originally centered around Henan and Shanxi Province, the culture spread to Shaanxi and Hubei Province. After the rise of the Erligang culture, the site at Erlitou diminished in size but remained inhabited.^[3]

Discovered in 1959, Erlitou is the largest site associated with the Erlitou Culture, with palace buildings and bronze smelting workshops. Erlitou monopolized the production of ritual bronze vessels.^[4] The city is on the Yi River, a tributary of the Luo River, which flows into the Yellow River. The city was 2.4 km by 1.9 km; however, because of flood damage only 3 km² are left.^[3] The culture is divided into four phases, each of roughly a century.

During Phase I (100 ha), Erlitou was a rapidly growing regional center, but not yet an urban civilization.^[5]

Urbanization began in Phase II (300 ha). A palace area of 12 ha was demarcated by four roads. It contained the 150x50 m Palace 3, composed of three courtyards along a 150 meter axis, and Palace 5.^[3] A bronze foundry was established to the south of the palatial complex.^[6]

The city reached its peak in Phase III, and may have had a population of between 18,000 and 30,000.^[5] The palatial complex was surrounded by a 2 meter thick rammed earth wall and Palaces 1, 7, 8, 9 were built. Palaces 3 and 5 were abandoned and replaced by 4200 m² Palace 2 and Palace 4.^[7]

Phase IV was formerly considered a period of decline, but recent excavation has revealed continued building. Palace 6 was built as an extension of Palace 2, and Palaces 10 and 11 were built. Phase IV overlaps with the Lower phase of the Erligang culture (1600–1450 BCE). Around 1600 BCE a walled city was built at Yanshi, about 6 km northeast of Erlitou.^[7]

Production of bronzes and other elite goods ceased at the end of Phase IV, at the same time as the Erligang city of Zhengzhou was established 85 km to the east. There is no evidence of destruction by fire or war, but during the Upper Erligang phase (1450–1300 BCE) all the palaces were abandoned, and Erlitou was reduced to a village of 30 ha.^[7]

Interpretation in terms of traditional history[link]

Erlitou Culture

Erlitou could be remains of Zhēnxún, the capital of the Xia Dynasty described by ancient historians. Dr. Xu Hong, head of the Erlitou Archeological Team, summarizes the disagreement with this:^[3] "Was it built by people of the Xia or the Shang? Further excavation will help find the final resolution and provide new materials for periodization of the two dynasties."

See also[link]

• List of Neolithic cultures of China
• Three August Ones and Five Emperors
• Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Allan, Sarah (2007). "Erlitou and the Formation of Chinese Civilization: Toward a New Paradigm". The Journal of Asian Studies (Cambridge University Press) 66 (2): 461–496. DOI:10.1017/S002191180700054X. 

• Fairbank, John King and Merle Goldman (1992). China: A New History; Second Enlarged Edition (2006). Cambridge: MA; London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01828-1

• Liu, Li (2004). The Chinese neolithic: trajectories to early states. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-81184-2. 

• Liu, Li; Xu, Hong (2007). "Rethinking Erlitou: legend, history and Chinese archaeology". Antiquity 81 (314): 886–901. 

• Li, Jinhui (November 10, 2003). "Stunning Capital of Xia Dynasty Unearthed". China Through a Lens. http://www1.china.org.cn/english/2003/Nov/79635.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 

External links[link]

• Bronze Age China, The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Exhibition brochure, National Gallery of Art.