PREHISTORIC TIMES

The Prehistoric Times refer to the period from about 1,700,000 years ago to the establishment of the Xia Dynasty in the 21 century BC. As people who lived during this period developed the use of stone tools, this age is also called the Stone Age. According to the different implements people used then, the age is divided into two periods: the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. The Paleolithic Age was characterized by the use of some simple tools. It is said that Yuanmou Man lived 1,700,000 years ago and was the earliest man in China known to the people. He was found in Yunnan Province. Lantian Man and Peking Man also lived during the Paleolithic Age. Mainly inhabiting caves, humans at that time were gregarious. In addition to the use of some simple tools, they first discovered fire and used it often in their daily lives. According to some theories, human civilization began during this period. The Paleolithic age can be divided into three periods - early, middle and late. The three periods follow the evolution of men from apes. Beginning with Homo erectus, and hereafter earlier Homo sapiens and finally later Homo sapiens. In the early period, humans lived as hunter gatherers. As for the implements, coarsely-made stone ones were widely used. Fire was used to keep warm and cook food. The Neolithic Age was a more advanced period compared to the Paleolithic Age. People built houses and began to farm by using grinding stones. Extraordinary advancements were made during this period, whether in spinning and carving skills, or in vehicle making techniques, and music. The famous Yangshao Culture and Longshan Culture belonged to this age. As life in Prehistoric Times was hard and full of challenges, people lived together to fight against terrible weather conditions and all kinds of natural disasters. The Chief was chosen according to one's ability in a system that was called the Abdication System. Shun was recommended by the previous chief, Yao, and became his successor. Later, Yu became the chief because of his contribution to controlling floodwaters. This system continued until 2070 BC when Boyi was recommended by Yu and Qi. Yu's son killed Boyi and made himself the king. Thus the Abdication System ended. The first dynasty - Xia hereafter came the forth ruling family in Chinese history. As for civilization during the Prehistoric Times, myths and legends were the main content. Some of the best known are the legend about the Creation of the World by Pan Gu, the legend of the creation of the humans by Nvwa, and the legend of Dayu's control of water.

Different Developing Phases

In the early phase, many unearthed cultural sites of the past years presented the fact that the grinding stone implements are the representatives of that period, such as the Nanzhuangtou Site in Xushui County of Hebei Province, the Yuchanyan Site in Daoxian County of Hunan Province, the Xinglongwa Site in Chifeng City of Inner Mongolia and other sites. Besides, these sites show that since that period, the original agriculture and stockbreeding had started to develop and the pottery had been the everyday necessity. During the middle period, taking the Hongshanhou Site in Chifeng City of Inner Mongolia, the Yangshao Site of in Mianchi County of Henan Province and the Dawenkou Site in Taian City of Shandong Province as the representatives, the grinding stone implements had diversified types and much more abundant patterns. Meanwhile, the agriculture and stockbreeding developed well and the pottery craft advanced a lot. In the late years of the Neolithic Age, the bronze and the stone implements were widely used in the daily life. With the population increasing and society becoming more complex, the human society went into the civilized times. The Wangwan Site in Luoyang of Henan Province, the Majiayao Site in Linzhao of Gansu Province and the Liangzhu Site in Yuhang of Zhejiang Province are the representatives of that period.

Handcraft In fact, the social development at that time is reflected by the development of pottery craft. In the very beginning, the pottery was simple in craft and patterns without any decoration. Most wares then featured in round and flat bases. Later the pottery was mainly made into red and brown wares with relatively delicate craft. After that, the painted pottery gradually, popular around the area of Yellow River, became the mainstream, among which red pottery and black-grey pottery took a large percent. Another aspect that delineates this age is the appearance of handcraft such as wares made from jade and weaving skills. All kinds of wares were painted to different colors. The handcraft industry was something that greatly enriched peoples lives. Clans Clans, which were different communities made up of people having the same kin and ancestors, were formed. An animal or a plant was usually used as totem for each clan. Members of the same clan enjoyed the same status and belongings, and worked together with the fruits of their labors divided equally under the lead of the head of the clan. During the early phase, pairing marriage, in which a male or a female could freely choose his or her consort for a short term or a long term, played an important role. Monogamous marriage and polygamous marriage were the basic marriage forms during the middle period. Over the late years of the

Neolithic Age, monogamous marriage started to be commonly accepted and was regarded as the standard marital relation. Besides, marriages at that time had to follow some strict stipulations: People of the same clan were not allowed to get married; cousins in the same clan were forbidden to get married etc.

Major Cultures of Neolithic Age

Banop Culture
Banpo Culture originating from the middle reaches of the Yellow River is part of the Yangshao Culture of the Neolithic Age. The culture is so named because it was founded in Banpo Village in Xian, Shaanxi Province. The culture lasted from 6,800 to 6,300 years ago and reflects the geographical situation of northern China at that time. Residents in Banpo lived in villages in clans or tribes. Agriculture, fishing and hunting were their main ways of acquiring food. The dwelling place for a clan was surrounded by a moat as a way to prevent invasion by wild animals. Houses were square or round in shape and were built so that some of the building extended under the ground. Banpo Culture is renowned for its fine painted potteries. In 1958, a large Banpo Museum was built there presenting the production scenes of Banpo people, and social life and artistic achievements to modern people.

Longshan Culture
Examples of Longshan Culture that were produced in the late period of the Neolithic Age (2900 BC to 2100 BC) can be found in the old town of Longshan, in the city of Zhangqiu which is located in Shangdong Province. Its influence can be found in the middle and lower areas of the Yellow River Valley flowing thru Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi Provinces. Artifacts from the Longshan are characterized with the applications of both copper and stone. Compared with the Yangshao Culture, farming techniques in agriculture and the raising of livestock have greatly improved in the Longshan Culture. The Longshan Culture also made great advancements in the area of pottery making, with black pottery being one of the more striking examples of this remarkable culture.

Yangshao Culture

The Yangshao civilization that existed during the late Neolithic Age was found mainly in Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, southern Hebei and eastern Gansu Provinces, and was especially prominent alongside in the middle reach of the Yellow River. Extant from 5,000 BC to 3,000 BC, its name is derived from the first-known Yangshao Culture site - Yangshao Village in Mianchi County, Henan Province. Over one thousand Yangshao Culture sites have been found including the Banpo Site in Xian, and the Jiangzhai site at Lintong County near Xian. The majority of the Yangshao Culture sites are in Shaanxi, today regarded as the center of Yangshao culture. Yangshao Culture gives priority to agriculture, and the main crops are millet and chestnuts. They made tools by grinding into useful shapes, including knives, millstone, axes, chisels and arrowheads. Some tools are made of bones, such as harpoons, barbs and other items. Along with agriculture, they engaged in fishing, hunting and gathering, as well as raising pigs and dogs like livestock. During the period of Yangshao Culture, the agriculture and animal husbandry developed tremendously. Yangshao villages were laid out with a furrow surrounding a village. Outside the furrow were public cemetery and kiln. Five clusters of houses were scattered around a central square. The houses were mainly constructed to round and quadrate with half of the house under the ground. The walls of the houses were made from a mixture of clay and grass with wood framework. The art of pottery was another of the outstanding innovation at that time. The materials, shapes and decorations of the wares were refined in order to make more delicate pottery wares. Red pottery wares including cooking vessels, bowls, cups, and jars were made by hand. The patterns varied from geometrical designs to animal designs. The most vivid patterns were human faces, fish designs, deer designs, bird designs etc. Additionally, the accessory, such as sheep head buttons, bird handles, gecko lids and others made the wares more lifelike. The representative items of Yangshao art include basin with a human face and fish patterns, painted boat-shaped pot, painted basin with petal patterns, painted bottle with giant salamander patterns, jar with marabou and stone axe patterns and others.

Huangdi Culture
China is a large nation in the world with one fifth of the world's population. Who is the father of this large country? It is Huangdi that laid the foundation of Chinese civilization and from whom everyone can find the merits of Chinese people living since ancient times. Under his leadership, prehistoric Chinese tribal life was transformed and presented a new civilized image to the world. His family lived on Xuanyuan Hill in Xinzheng County, Henan Province, Huang's family name is Gongsun and his first name is Xuanyuan. Because he had a special

attachment to the yellow earth, he was called Huangdi by the people ('Huang' in Chinese means yellow symbolizing the yellow earth and 'Di', emperor). Many outstanding achievements were made during the reign of Huangdi in architecture, science and culture. Palaces and boats were devised, and arithmetic and medicine also began to appear. He instructed his people to plant corn, and invented tools for guiding the direction of travel. With the help of his wife, people began to feed silkworms and spin thread into silk. In addition, characters and musical instruments were invented by his officials. All in all, many creations came from the Huangdi period. Huangdi was buried on the Mt. Qiao (Bridge) in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province, and nowadays Huangdi Mausoleum known as 'The First Mausoleum in China' has been visited by numerous people home and abroad especially on the day of Qingming Festival (April 4th or 5th). As Huangdi was the first leader with the great moral and superior wisdom that developed early Chinese civilization, the people regard him as the forefather of the Chinese nation and call themselves the offspring of Huangdi.

Many outstanding achievements were made during the reign of Huangdi in architecture, science and culture. Palaces and boats were devised, and arithmetic and medicine also began to appear. He instructed his people to plant corn, and invented tools for guiding the direction of travel. With the help of his wife, people began to feed silkworms and spin thread into silk. In addition, characters and musical instruments were invented by his officials. All in all, many creations came from the Huangdi period. Huangdi was buried on the Mt. Qiao (Bridge) in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province, and nowadays Huangdi Mausoleum known as 'The First Mausoleum in China' has been visited by numerous people home and abroad especially on the day of Qingming Festival (April 4th or 5th). As Huangdi was the first leader with the great moral and superior wisdom that developed early Chinese civilization, the people regard him as the forefather of the Chinese nation and call themselves the offspring of Huangdi.

Yu the Great
Yu the Great, ancient hero in prehistoric times is known for controlling floods. Because of his contribution, people call him Dayu in Chinese with Da means great. What makes Yu the Great more remarkable is that just four days after his marriage he left home to control the water. And for thirteen years, he never went into his home although passing it three times. Even though his son was born during this period, he didn't return. Since at that time, the ruler was usually chosen according to ability, Yu the Great was supported by the people and recommended by Shun to succeed him. In 2070 BC, Yu established the Xia Dynasty (21st - 16th century BC)

with his capital in Yangcheng (Dengfeng, Henan Province). That opened a new era in Chinese history. Yu the Great is admired not only for his unremitting endeavors to fight against nature but also for forgetting about his own interests in order to help other people.

The Fossil Skull Belonging to Prehistoric Times