This is the most complete chronological table we could find and it is the one we refer to. We have never come across any source that offers a more inclusive listing of the Neolithic Cultures. It is important to note that new archeological finds are being studied regularly and much of this work is as yet unpublished. These findings push the timetable back at least another 700 years as documented by a pair of jade earrings recently found in Chi Feng City, Inner Mongolia. Also be aware that spellings have changed in the past and will continue to do so. As an example, Hsinglungwa and Xinglongwa are both names for the first neolithic culture. Cross dating will immediately become apparent because of China's very long history of division and reunification. This is only a guide.
| NEOLITHIC PERIOD | circa 5500 - 1700 BC |
|---|---|
| 1. North China Neolithic Cultures | |
| North & North West China - Liaoning Province and Inner Mongolia | |
| Xinglongwa | c. 5500 - 5040 BC |
| Zhaobaogou | c. 4800 - 4000 BC |
| Chahai | c. 4700 - 3000 BC |
| Hongshan | c. 3500 - 2200 BC |
| 2. Yellow River Neolithic Cultures | |
| a. Shaanxi Province (the central plane) Middle / Lower Middle Yellow River | |
| Yangshao | c. 4800 - 3070 BC |
| Banpo | c. 4800 - 4200 BC |
| Miaodigou | c. 3900 - 3500 BC |
| Qinwangzhai | c. 3500 - 3000 BC |
| Henan Longshan | c. 2300 - 1700 BC |
| b. Shandong & North Jiangsu Province - Huai River Basin / Lower Yellow River | |
| Dawenkou | c. 4500 - 2300 BC |
| Huating | c. 3800 - 3000 BC |
| Shandong Longshan | c. 2300 - 1700 BC |
| 3. Yangzi River Neolithic Cultures | |
| a. Middle Yangzi River - Sichuan, Hubei | |
| Daixi | c. 4000 - 3300 BC |
| Shijiahe | c. 2500 - 2000 BC |
| b. Lower Yangzi River Basin - Lake Tai / East Central China | |
| Hemudu | c. 5000 - 4800 BC |
| Majiabin | c. 5000 - 3900 BC |
| Songze | c. 3800 - 2900 BC |
| Qingliangang | c. 3500 BC |
| Liangzhu | c. 3400 - 2200 BC |
| 4. Southern Neolithic Cultures (Jade Influenced) | |
| South Coastal Provinces / Guangdong Province | |
| Shixia | c. 3000 - 2000 BC |
| XIA DYNASTY | c. 2100 - 1600 BC |
| ERLITOU PERIOD | c. 1900 - 1600 BC |
| SHANG DYNASTY | c. 1600 - 1100 BC |
| Erligang Phase | c. 1600 - 1400 BC |
| Anyang Phase | c. 1400 - 1100 BC |
| ZHOU DYNASTY | c. 1100 - 221 BC |
| Western Zhou Period | c. 1100 - 771 BC |
| Eastern Zhou Period | c. 770 - 221 BC |
| Spring & Autumn Period | c. 770 - 474 BC |
| Warring States Period | c. 475 - 221 BC |
| QIN DYNASTY | c. 221 - 206 BC |
| HAN DYNASTY | c. 206 BC - 220 |
| Western Han | c. 206 BC - 8 |
| Xin (Wang Mang) | c. 9 - 25 |
| Eastern Han | c. 25 - 220 |
| SIX DYNASTIES | c. 220 - 589 |
| Three Kingdoms Period | c. 220 - 280 |
| Wu | c. 220 - 280 |
| Shu | c. 221 - 263 |
| Wei | c. 220 - 265 |
| Western & Eastern Jin c. 265 - 420 | |
| Northern Dynasty | c. 386 - 581 |
| Northern Wei | c. 386 - 584 |
| Eastern Wei | c. 534 - 550 |
| Western Wei | c. 535 - 557 |
| Northern Qi | c. 550 - 577 |
| Northern Zhou | c. 557 - 581 |
| Southern Dynasty | c. 420 - 589 |
| (Liu) Song | c. 420 - 479 |
| Southern Qi | c. 479 - 502 |
| Liang | c. 502 - 557 |
| Chen | c. 557 - 589 |
| SUI DYNASTY | c. 581 - 618 |
| TANG DYNASTY | c. 618 - 907 |
| High Tang | c. 684 - 756 |
| Low Tang | c. 757 - 907 |
| FIVE DYNASTIES | c. 907 - 960 |
| SONG DYNASTY | c. 960 - 1279 |
| Northern Song | c. 960 - 1127 |
| Southern Song | c. 1127 - 1279 |
| LIAO DYNASTY | c. 907 - 1125 |
| JIN DYNASTY | c. 1115 - 1234 |
| YUAN DYNASTY | c. 1279 - 1368 |
| MING DYNASTY | c. 1368 - 1644 |
| QING DYNASTY | c. 1544 - 1911 |