Youyu-shi

For the leader of ancient China, see Emperor Shun.

Youyu-shi (Chinese: 有虞氏), also called Youyu clan or the Yu dynasty (Chinese: 虞朝), was a ruling dynasty of China that could have existed prior to the Xia dynasty. The territory controlled by the Yu dynasty is hypothesized to have been located southwest of Pinglu County, in Shanxi Province, China. Its last monarch is believed to be Emperor Shun.

Debate over existence

Evidence in favor

The Yu dynasty was mentioned alongside the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties in numerous historical Chinese works, including the Zuo Zhuan, Discourses of the States, Mozi, The Methods of the Sima, Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Rites. Based on the available texts, some scholars believe that the Yu dynasty lasted much longer than the reign of the Emperor Shun, and could be comparable in length to the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties that succeeded it.

Numerous large-scale urban ruins have been uncovered at the Taosi archaeological site, which is considered to be part of the Neolithic Longshan culture. In particular, palaces and royal tombs were also discovered at Taosi, further proving the possible existence of a dynastic regime based on tribal confederation.

In 2002, Chinese historian Wang Shumin published an academic paper titled "There was a Yu dynasty before Xia, Shang and Zhou" which renewed public interest in the possible existence of a pre-Xia dynastic state in the Yellow River area.

Evidence against

Like the Xia dynasty, the existence of the Yu dynasty has been debated by historians and scholars. The lack of concrete evidence and archaeological findings in support of the Yu dynasty means that this pre-Xia regime remains a legend. As such, the Yu dynasty has yet to gain widespread acceptance as a factual part of Chinese history, both within China and among Western scholars.

Lineage

From the Records of the Grand Historian by Han official Sima Qian:

• Changyi (昌意) – Zhuanxu (颛顼) – Qiongchan (穷蝉) – Jingkang (敬康) – Gouwang (句望) – Qiaoniu (桥牛) – Gusou (瞽叟) – Chonghua, the Emperor Shun (舜帝 重华)

See also

• History of China
• Timeline of Chinese history
• Chinese historiography
• Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors