Research Articles

Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.2, 2018

The Origins of the Huaxia and Zhou Peoples and the Discovery and Exploration of the Ruins of Shimao(Abstract)

Shen Changyun

The Huaxia ethnic group emerged during the historical changes attending the fall of the Shang and the establishment of the Zhou dynasty. Their name was adopted from the Zhou designation of their own anti-Shang tribal alliance. The revered Yellow Emperor was originally just a Zhou ancestor; only later, with the merging of different peoples under Zhou dominion, did he become the common ancestor of the Huaxia. The Zhou came from the Bai Di ethnic group, and followed the Bai Di in regarding the Yellow Emperor as their ancestor. Evidence of these important historical occurrences has been found in recent archaeological discoveries at the ruins of Shimao in Shenmu, northern Shaanxi. The Shimao site was the residence of the Yellow Emperor’s tribe, and the region was also the birthplace of the Ji clan of the Zhou people. The Zhou later migrated to the Weishui River basin because of climatic and environmental changes. The ancient people of Shimao built their palaces and other buildings on mountain ridges, reflecting their worship of Heaven. This belief was passed down to the Zhou, who likewise believed in Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven. History records that the Yellow Emperor “made weapons with jade,” and the name “Zhou” reflects the fact that the Zhou were descended from clans who worked jade. This supposition is confirmed by the large number of ancient jade vessels unearthed from Shimao.