Professor Li Boqian proposes that the Erlitou culture,emerging as a hybrid of theLongshan culture in the Shandong area and the Central Plain,was the Xia culture after Houyi's usurpation.The Xia culture before that date was perhaps included in the third phase of the Wangwan culture.A further earlier period,represented by the second phase of the Meishan culture,stood for the transition period,and it was the earliest Xia culture.I wish to indicate that the date for Houyi,a mythic role,should not be limited to the Xia,and his area is not necessarily identified as Qufu.Moreover, Houyi's credibility as a historical role should receive further check.In fact,Longshan culture in the Shandong area had extremely limited influence on ancient cultures in the Central Plain ,and in the Erlitou culture,few elements were proved originated in the Shandong Longshan culture.The second phase of the Longshan culture at Meishan,Lingru did not transfer into the Erlitou culture.A fundamental differenceexisted between them.Therefore,the former should not be interpreted as the earliest Xia culture.
