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Neolithic Era

Dynasty Timeline Ching Dynasty Ming Dynasty Yuan Dynasty Sung Dynasty Sung Dynasty Five Dynasties Tang Dynasty Sui Dynasty Six Dynasties Han Dynasty Chin Dynasty Chou Dynasty Shang Dynasty

From This Period

Fu Axe Scepter
Fu Axe Scepter

Funerary Jar
Funerary Jar

Ceremonial Stem Cup
Ceremonial Stem Cup

Ceremonial Stem Cup
Ceremonial Stem Cup

See more objects from this dynasty

Neolithic Era

3000 - 1500 B.C.

The earliest known Chinese Stone Age culture was the relatively sophisticated Yang-shao, whose people lived in rudimentary settlements and hunted for game with carved stone spears. The succeeding and more advanced Lung-shan culture identified the social status of the deceased by the type and number of precious jade objects and ceramics in their burial mounds. Chinese Neolithic pottery, both delicate and durable, was artfully decorated and served both practical and ritual purposes.

Video: Neolithic Era
Curator of Asian art Robert Jacobsen takes us through China's illustrious past by focusing on each of its historical dynasties.

Neolithic Era Map