Liangzhu Culture

c. 5000–2000 BCE

Ancient jade bi disk with a perforated surface on display

Liangzhu culture sites are famous for their jade carvings such as round discs (bi), square tubes with circular inner hollows (cong), and axes (yue)

Jade

bi disc jade

VIDEO: A jade bi disk

Close-up of a carved, ancient stone artifact with geometric patterns and weathered surface, displayed in a museum setting.

VIDEO: A jade cong

Important terms and concepts

Neolithic

Jade

nephrite

Cong

bi disk

Liangzhu people

Intricately carved jade artifacts, including a coiled dragon shape and a small animal figure, displayed on a light surface against a dark background.
Ancient Chinese bronze vessel with intricate patterns.
Clay pottery with intricate geometric patterns on display.

Learn more about ancient China!

Introduction to Shang Dynasty China
Introduction to Shang Dynasty China
$6.99

This information text/reading comprehension "bundle" on Shang dynasty covers topics such as the history of the Shang, ancestor worship, early Chinese writing, oracle bones, bronze metallurgy, jade, and more. For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to make the ancient Shang dynasty come alive.

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