Neolithic Period

c. 7000 BCE to 1700 BCE

Ancient jade bi disc with raised dots on display.

The Neolithic Period was when people began to settle into communities

Basics

Foundations in historical thinking

Ancient calendar stone with text "BC vs. AD, BCE vs. CE" overlay, juxtaposed with a historical manuscript in the background.

Important terms and concepts

BC vs. BCE

AD vs. CE

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

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

cong

bi

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