Xia

Xia (or Hsia) (c.21st century–c.16th century bc)
The first dynasty to rule in China, according to tradition. It was reputedly founded by Yu the Great, a model ruler, who is said to have attempted to control flooding by irrigation schemes. As yet no evidence authenticates the Xia, but it is possible such evidence will be found, as the existence of China's second dynasty, the Shang , was not verified until the 1920s.