Longshan culture was a late Neolithic culture centered around the central and lower Yellow River in China. Longshan culture is named after Longshan, Shandong Province, the first excavated site of this culture. It's dated from about 2500 to 1700 BC.
The distinctive feature of Longshan culture was the high level of skill in pottery-making, including the use of pottery wheels. Longshan culture pottery was noted for its highly polished black pottery. The first appearance of bronze-making also occurred during the time of the Longshan culture.
Life during the Longshan culture marked a transition into a establishment of cities, as rammed earth walls and moats began to appear. Rice cultivation was clearly established by this time.
Unlike the Yangshao culture, the Longshan culture was a patriarchical society. During the time of the Longshan culture, social stratification occurred, and slavery came into practice. Some archaeologists suggest that the Longshan culture is connected to the Xia Dynasty.
