Neolithic Period
China - Neolithic Period
Once ancient culture changed directions from hunting and fishing toward a life of agriculture we began to see the heightened usage of pottery vessels. These vessels were used to carry and store water and to prepare certain types of food. This period and change in life-style is generally referred to as the introduction of the Neolithic Period.
This was generally considered to be approximately 5000 to 6000 years BC. Archaeologists have uncovered many tombs and citings throughout Mainland China. The Neolithic Period was an extremely prolific period in history with many styles of art and craftsmanship finding their form during this period. Neolithic art was found in practically every province of China. Each of the cultures of the Neolithic Period representing both similarities and uniqueness to one another.
The Neolithic Period saw many different groups of people establishing agricultural villages, making pottery, jade and stone tools and weapons, cooking utensils, bronzes, and magnificent sculptures made from many different types of materials. During this period China was rich in many different cultures. Practically every major urban area of China found different cultures representing different styles of art and craftsmanship.
Each of these periods and regions produced rich and artistic cultures. Geographically, geologists and archeologists have discovered many tombs and sightings which, by the artifacts found inside, could distinguish between the differences of the cultures.
Jades, terracotta sculptures, pottery ewers, ceremonial pieces, bronze containers, and many elaborate pots of all kinds were found in these archeological sights. Stoneware was very important during the Neolithic Period. It was used predominantly for two purposes. Stoneware was used fundamentally for tools and weapons, but was also used for ornamental and ritual purposes as well.
The Chinese Neolithic period spread over most of the regions of China. The first invention in human history was the beginning of manufacturing both earthenware and ceramics. These inventions were first recorded during the Neolithic times. This was also the first time in history when these pieces of pottery and earthenware were being fired in Kilns, assuring their place in history forever.
People were both productive and prosperous during the Neolithic Period. Both their home life, as well as their social lives, was fruitful and the style of the period was quite ornate. Many times, even the heaviest of the jade pieces were worn ceremonially by the upper class.
The following are the many Cultures of the Neolithic Period. The finds of pottery tools and weapons have suggested that farming was already established during these two cultures and that they, together, led the way to the celebrated Yangshao Culture.
In 1921, there was a famous excavation near the Yellow River region at a village named Yangshao, revealing the renowned Neolithic Culture thrived in this particular area and at that specific time. There were over 1,000 discoveries made in this area alone, all representing the Yangshao Culture. This culture, with its opulent cultures, covered a large area of land and has provided us a great many Chinese Antiquities. This was most likely the outstanding culture of the Neolithic Period having lasted the test of time and had developed strong political and economic ties throughout China.
Other cultures were the P’elikang Culture (5500-4900 BC), Paichia Culture, Machi’ayao Culture (3300-2050 BC), Ch’ichia Culture (2200-1600 BC), Hsintien Culture (this period is estimated to 1000 years BC to the Ch’ichia Culture), Ssuwa Culture (4300-2500 BC), Ch’inglienkang Culture (5400-4400 BC), Tawenko’u Culture (4300-2500BC), Lungshan Culture, Shantung Lungshan Culture (2500-2000 BC), Honan Lungshan Culture (2600-2000 BC), and the Shanhsi Lungshan Culture (2300-2000 BC).