Ancient China

From Neolithic Cultures through the Zhou Dynasty

Ancient jade bi disc with raised dots on display.

Early is characterized by the development of agriculture, pottery and jade production, a writing system, bronze metallurgy, divination, and more!

Neolithic China

c. 5000–2000 BCE

Prior to the development of writing, Neolithic China had an incredible flourishing of objects made in jade and ceramic—making these objects important for our understanding of early Chinese cultures

Ancient calendar stone with text "BC vs. AD, BCE vs. CE" overlay, juxtaposed with a historical manuscript in the background.
bi disc jade
lay vessel decorated with a running spiral using two colors from Neolithic China in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Ancient Chinese jade cong artifact with intricate carvings on display.

Important terms and concepts

Neolithic

Jade

Universal running spiral

The Shang Dynasty

c. 1600–1046 BCE

The period when writing developed, bronze technology emerges, and divination became important

oracle bone
rhino bronze china shang
A Shang dynasty bronze vessel decorated with a taotie
Ancient bronze bells with intricate patterns on display

Important terms and concepts

Shang dynasty

Anyang

Bronze

Ancestor worship

Oracle bone

Taotie

King Wu Ding

Queen Fu Hao

The Zhou Dynasty

c. 1046–256 BCE

This period saw the flowering of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

Marquis Yi of Zeng’s Bells
Lacquer bowl, 3rd century BCE, Warring States Period, Seattle Asian Art Museum

Important terms and concepts

Zhou dynasty

Filial piety

Lacquer

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