Late Neolithic culture centered on the central and lower Yellow River in China. Longshan culture is named after Longshan, Shandong Province, the first excavated site of this culture. It is dated from about 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.

The distinctive feature of Longshan culture was the high level of skill in pottery making, including the use of pottery wheels. Longshan culture was noted for its highly polished black pottery (or egg-shell pottery) and is often referred to as the 'Black Pottery Culture' for this reason.

Eggshell pottery/blackware is made of sandy clay, which results in a pottery with extremely thin walls. Pieces are polished and then coated with a black slip, resulting in an extremely smooth finish. 

Wine vessel or ritual artifact with bamboo-shaped handle, Neolithic period, Longshan culture (3000 BCE-2000 BCE). Height 17cm, Mouth diameter 11.9cm. From Yaoguanzhuang site, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 1960.

Food container with bamboo-shaped stem, Neolithic period, Longshan culture (3000 BCE-2000 BCE). Height 18.3cm, Mouth diameter 28cm. From Yaoguanzhuang site, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 1960.

Bowl with three beak-shaped feet, Neolithic period, Longshan culture (3000 BCE-2000 BCE). Height 18.5cm, Mouth diameter 26cm. From Yaoguanzhuang site, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 1960.

Container with four figures of bamboo on the belly, turn-up mouth, flat base, Neolithic period, Longshan culture (3000 BCE-2000 BCE). Height 16cm, Mouth diameter 23.9cm, Bottom diameter 17.9cm. From Tongyu, Anqiu County, Shandong Province, 1957.

Cup with a straight mouth, long neck, and flat bottom; two ears join the belly and the body is decorated with several sunk line designs, Neolithic period, Longshan culture (3000 BCE-2000 BCE). Height 12.5cm, Mouth diameter 7.8cm, Bottom diameter 4.5cm. From Yaoguanzhuang site, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 1960.

Life during the Longshan culture marked a transition to the establishment of cities, as rammed earth walls and moats began to appear, the site at Taosi being its largest walled settlement. Rice cultivation was clearly established by that time.
The Neolithic population in China reached its peak during the Longshan culture. Toward the end of the Longshan culture, the population decreased sharply; this was matched by the disappearance of high-quality black pottery found in ritual burials.
Early studies indicated that the Longshan and Yangshao cultures were one in the same. It is now widely accepted that the Longshan culture is in fact a later development of the Yangshao culture.