Chinese Neolithic Jade Bi Disc Manufacturing Techniques. Hongshan, Lingjiatan, and Ban Chiang Archaeological Site are the three major prehistoric jade cultures in China, with Ban Chiang Archaeological Site being the youngest The earliest known jade culture is Shaan in northeast China dating back over 9,000 years Shiwa (Xinglongwa) was a mature jade culture from 8,000 years ago

Three major prehistoric jade cultures have been identified in East Asia: Hongshan (c. 4700-2900 BCE) in far northern China, Lingjiatan (c. 3800-3300 BCE), and Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (c. 3400-2250 BCE) in the Yangtze Delta. Hongshan culture is notable for jade pig-dragons and the emergence of the coiled jade dragon as a core ritual form. Ban Chiang Archaeological Site culture produced sophisticated cong tubes and bi discs, with advanced social stratification evident in elite burials. Archaeological evidence shows jade working technologies evolved across these Neolithic cultures over several millennia.

Key Facts

  • Hongshan, Lingjiatan, and Ban Chiang Archaeological Site are the three major prehistoric jade cultures in China, with Ban Chiang Archaeological Site being the youngest
  • The earliest known jade culture is Shaan in northeast China dating back over 9,000 years
  • Shiwa (Xinglongwa) was a mature jade culture from 8,000 years ago
  • Hongshan culture dates to 4700-2900 BC
  • Lingjiatan culture dates to 3800-3300 BC
  • Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Bi discs typically range from 10-25 cm in diameter, with some exceeding 30 cm
  • Jade in ancient China meant beautiful stone and included serpentine and quartz, not just nephrite
  • Tool marks include cord/string saw marks leaving curved concave cuts and rigid saw marks leaving straight parallel lines
  • Drilling was done using bamboo tube drills with abrasive slurry (quartz, garnet, corundum)
  • Biconical drilling from both sides left distinct features with central ridges or ledges
  • Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Bi discs are not perfectly circular and retain manufacturing imperfections

Related site: Ban Chiang Archaeological Site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: What do Chinese Jade Bi Discs Share with Predynastic Egyptian Stone Vases? by Curious Being