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.
videos + essays
We're adding new content all the time!
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.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
