Recasting the past

According to the conclusion of that program, and based on a rigorous analysis of historical records, archaeological findings and astronomical records, the Shang people were found to have toppled the Xia Dynasty in around 1600 BC.

Li Boqian, a professor of archaeology at Peking University, was the chief scientist of the program. He cites their work as key to defining the Xia Dynasty as a proven historical fact.

"The richness of the historical records about ancient China were an advantage for us archaeologists, rather than a burden," Li says. "Erlitou was a key witness to the transition from the Xia Dynasty to the Shang era.

"During later archaeological analysis of the Erlitou site, we found a lot of evidence indicating social upheaval-such as former palaces being abandoned-at a time when Shang culture began to surface," he explains.

"However, the Shang Dynasty allowed Xia loyalists to remain in the area, and that's why their residence continued for a longer period of time."

While it remains controversial as to whether the Shang city near Erlitou is Xibo, their affinity at least shows that the Shang people wanted to keep a close eye on those loyal to the former dynasty in case of a rebellion, Li adds.

"The Shang city could also be a military fort used for surveillance," he says.

Chen Xingcan, director of the Institute of Archaeology of CASS, says naming the new museum Xia Capital represents a mainstream view and will help the general public to understand the importance of the site, but it does not mean the end of the discussion.