Neolithic culture (1900–1350 BC) of the central plains of northern China.
It was the first state-level society in China, and its remains are taken to be correlates of the Xia dynasty . Remains of palatial buildings, royal tombs, and paved roads have been uncovered, leading to hypotheses that the site represents a Xia capital. The society employed advanced bronze technology. The relationship between Erlitou bronzes and those produced earlier at Qijia in Gansu remains unclear. See Hongshan culture ; Neolithic Period .