History of Zhengzhou

The Shang Dynasty established Aodu(áo dū隞都)or Bodu(bódū亳都)in Zhengzhou.

The pre-historical city had been long lost even before the time of the First Emperor of China.Since 1950 archaeological finds have shown that there were Neolithic settlements in the area and that the Shang Bronze Age culture,which flourished there from about 1500 BC,was centered on a walled city.Outside this city,in addition to remains of large public buildings,a complex of small settlements has been discovered.

The site is generally identified with the Shang capital of Ao.It is preserved in the Shang Dynasty Ruins monument in Guanchen District.The Shang,who continually moved their capital,left Ao,perhaps in the 13th century BC.The site,nevertheless,remained occupied;Zhou(post-1050 BC)tombs have also been discovered.

Traditionally it is held that in the Western Zhou period(1111-771 BC)it became the fief of a family named Guan.From this derives the name borne by the county(xiàn县)since the late 6th century BC—Guancheng(guǎn chéng管城;City of the Guan).

The city first became the seat of a prefectural administration in AD 587,when it was named Guanzhou.In 605 it was first called Zhengzhou—a name by which it has been known virtually ever since.