Neolithic China

c. 5000–2000 BCE

Ancient jade bi disk with a perforated surface on display

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

Jade
Ceramics

The Basics

Stone calendar and ancient manuscript with text 'BC vs. AD, BCE vs. CE' overlay.

What do BCE/BC and CE/AD mean?

Learn the differences in how to mark time.

Jade

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

Important terms and concepts

Neolithic

Jade

nephrite

Cong

bi disk

Liangzhu people

Ceramics

lay vessel decorated with a running spiral using two colors from Neolithic China in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

Important terms and concepts

Ceramic

Universal running spiral

Banshan pottery

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