was there a dynasty before the xia dynasty in China, 2100-1600 B.C.? If not, what type of governing entity?

Answer 1

The Xia Dynasty was the first political dynasty. There were no other dynasties before that. Because of the lack of written records, they are not 100% sure how the people lived back then. There is the legend of the Yellow Emperor Huangdi. So, I will assume that there were a series of Emperors that ruled.