The Solar Eclipse of the Xia Dynasty: A Review

TL;DR

This review analyzes the ancient Chinese account of a solar eclipse, proposing a new scenario linking it to historical events and celestial phenomena, while discussing unresolved questions about its historical context.

Contribution

It offers a new interpretation of the Xia dynasty eclipse account, correlating it with celestial events and historical timelines, and discusses its implications for understanding ancient Chinese history.

Findings

The eclipse likely occurred on 15 September 1903 BCE.

The eclipse's path of totality aligns with the Xia capital, supporting historical dating.

The eclipse coincides with other significant celestial and mythological events.

Abstract

We present a review on the renowned solar eclipse in the Chinese book "Shujing" describing the oldest account of this kind. After balancing the arguments on the time, place, and the celestial stage, we offer a new scenario. The path of totality on 15 September 1903 BCE traversed Anyi, the assumed capital of the Xia dynasty. The date matches remarkably well the chronological order of two other incidents of mythological rank: the closest-ever agglomeration of the naked-eye planets and the Great Flood under Emperor Yu. Still, this eclipse does not remove all questions about the historical circumstances given in the account.