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Chinese culture developed from small communities such as Banpo Village (c. 4500 BCE) through the early Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) and the great dynastic periods that followed after, creating some of the most striking and memorable works of art and architecture in world history, including the famous Great Wall of China.
These works include palaces, towers, walls, paintings, sculpture, amulets, coinage, and ceramics – some dating back as far as the Houli Culture (c. 6500 - c. 5500 BCE) or earlier – others from the periods of the Liangzhu Culture, Yangshao Culture, and Hongshan Culture, predating the Xia Dynasty and its successor the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) by which time Chinese work in jade, especially, had produced notable masterpieces such as The Correya Dog.
The following gallery is far from inclusive but presents representative pieces from the earliest eras of ancient China up through the modern day.
Upper Cave is one of the caves at the cave system at Zhoukoudian, China. The site as a whole has yielded an impressive range of archaeological discoveries, among which is one of the first specimens of Homo erectus.
Jade was first used to create artworks in China c. 6000 BCE during the period of the Houli Culture (c. 6500 - c. 5500 BCE).
When was the Great Wall of China first built?
The Great Wall of China was first constructed during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) but that wall did not resemble the famous wall known today.
What was the first dynasty of ancient China?
The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) was the first dynasty of ancient China, thought to be mythical until archaeological evidence supported its existence.
Did the Xia Dynasty develop jade artwork?
Work in jade was developed by the Hongshan Culture (c. 4700-2900 BCE) and the Liangzu Culture (c. 3400-2250 BCE) long before the Xia Dynasty was established. The Xia simply drew on earlier techniques of work in jade.
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