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
Jade
Ceramics
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

Jade bi disk

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

Neolithic jade cong

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

Running spiral on a Neolithic clay vessel

Shang dynasty >
Shang dynasty >

Important terms and concepts

Ceramic

Universal running spiral

Banshan pottery

Additional Resources

Digital timeline display of art objects from China dating from 8000 to 2000 B.C., including a jade object, a stone disc, and a pottery vessel with geometric patterns.

Heilbrunn Timeline, China, 8000–2000 B.C.

Neolithic Period in China essay on the Heilbrunn Timeline

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