Black Pottery Double-ear Cup, Single-ear Cup and Box, Neolithic, Longshan Culture (c. 2500-2000 BC). Unearthed at Sanlihe, Jiaoxian, Shandong Province, 1975 © National Museum of China

Longshan culture is mainly distributed in the central and eastern part of Shandong Province and the Huaibei area of Jiangsu Province. It secured a high level of development and unique achievements in Neolithic China. The culture is characterized by groups of black potteries. These beautiful pottery cups and boxes are typical pottery of Longshan culture and were produced through rapid throwing on a wheel. The instruments have neat shapes and a black appearance. (Writer: Zhang Yun)