China

Neolithic China

Jade has always been the material most highly prized in China, above silver and gold. From ancient times, this translucent stone has been worked into ornaments, ceremonial weapons and ritual objects.

c. 3500 - 1600 B.C.E.

Beginner's Guide

What is Neolithic China?

• Neolithic period (c. 7000–1700 B.C.E.), an introduction

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Neolithic period (c. 7000–1700 B.C.E.), an introduction

Recent archaeological evidence suggests that a number of distinct cultures developed simultaneously across China, all along waterways in the Neolithic period

Jade Cong

These enigmatic, rectilinear tubes reveal clarity of thought and took great effort to produce. What can they mean?

Chinese jade: an introduction

Valued above silver or even gold, jade was worn by kings and nobles—in life as well as death.

Working jade

Cut, abrade, polish. With these three actions, Chinese artisans have been refining jade for 6000 years.

Selected Contributors

Asian Art Museum

Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art

The British Museum