NEOLITHIC TECHNOLOGY OF CERAMIC PRODUCTION AT YANGSHAO, CHINA

Abstract

This research paper deals with Neolithic era pottery making, ceramic traditions, social and religious significance of pottery at Yangshao, the most important site of Chinese Neolithic era.  This research has been extracted from the M.Phil. Thesis of author titled as “Comparative study of Mehrgarh Neolithic pottery 6500-4500BC and Yangshao pottery of Chinese Neolithic 5500-3000 BC”.  This paper explores the early technological adoption of ancient Chinese as the surplus crop production grew, significantly it brought remarkable changes to Yangshao and Banpo people’s life, which familiarized early Chinese toward trade and traditional technology. Yellow river a rich source of perennial water helped ancient chines to grow multiple cereals crops mostly the rice. This agricultural boost gave expansion of Neolithic settlements, traditions and technology, Yangshao is said to be the mother of ancient Chinese civilization in south Asia. Sophisticated technology of Yangshao and Banpo potters with variety of pottery objects including open pots, tripods, bowels and amphora made them more versatile potters in Neolithic era.