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Neolithic Era — Primitive Society and Mythical History

This is the epoch starting from the existence of human beings to the establishment of the first dynasty Xia, around 2070 BC, by Yu the Great, who led people to defeat the Great Flood.

 

Many primitive cultures had scattered in different places in China. Gradually, they became stronger, and then there came many merger wars. 

Red-crowned Crane Bone Made Flute, Peiligang Culture (About 7000 — 8000 Years Ago)

Red-crowned Crane Bone Made Flute, Peiligang Culture (About 7000 — 8000 Years Ago) — Henan Antique Archaeology Institute (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Some Important Cultures in the Neolithic China

Dawenkou Culture

Dawenkou was an era with the rise of Private Ownership and Patriarchy and the gradual collapse of the Matrilineal system.

  • Around 4500 BC — 2500 BC

  • Shandong Province, East of China.

Achievements:

  • Cultivation of Millet and Keeping of Livestock;

  • Advanced Pottery of Different Colors;

  • Widely Use of Stone, Wood, Ivory, Jade, and Bone Tools.

Unearthed Artifacts of the Dawenkou Culture (Photo by Dongmaiying) 

Longshan Culture or Black Pottery Culture

Developed from the Dawenkou Culture, the Longshan Culture Entered the Bronze Age.

  • Around 2500 BC — 2000 BC

  • Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi Provinces, etc., the Middle Kingdom Era of China.

Achievements:

  • Thin Fetal Black Pottery and Jade Articles showed the advanced technology of Longshan Culture.

Unearthed Artifacts of the Longshan Culture (Photo by Dongmaiying) 

Hongshan Culture

Hongshan was an agricultural, Matrilineal culture with grand worship si