Why is the Xia dynasty considered semimythical?

The Xia dynasty is considered semimythical because its existence is primarily derived from ancient legends and traditional accounts rather than contemporary written records.12

While the Shiji, a history written in the 1st century BCE, lists 17 Xia kings and describes the dynasty's founder, Yu, as a hero who drained great floods, these narratives were recorded long after the period they describe. Archaeological efforts to confirm the dynasty face significant challenges; although researchers have identified sites like Erlitou as potential correlates to the Xia due to their advanced bronze technology and palatial remains, definitively linking specific archaeological strata to a political dynasty remains difficult without corroborating written evidence. Furthermore, the possibility that the Xia and Shang dynasty were partially contemporary complicates the identification of these sites. Consequently, the Xia remains a subject of historical debate, bridging the gap between Neolithic culture and the first historically verified Chinese dynasty, the Shang.123