This book aims to portray ancient civilizations and the development of early states in China and the rest of the world during the Liangzhu period. From a global perspective, it describes the ancient Egyptian, Sumerian and Harappan civilizations, as well as lesser-known civilizations such as the Cyclades and Caral, underscoring the similarities and differences between their central settlements, capitals and material cultural remains. As for the national aspect, the book mainly explores the development process of east Asian civilization as represented by Chinese civilization and probes into the evolution of the Liangzhu, Dawenkou and Qujialing civilizations four to five thousand years ago in a search for the origins of Chinese civilization.

Minghui Chen is a researcher at Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Having graduated from Fudan University in 2013, his current work mainly involves archaeology of the neolithic era, prehistoric archaeology, urban archaeology, civilization comparison, jade and pottery. He has participated in the excavation of and studies at the Liangzhu City, Qinglongquan, Quangang, Baodun and Guangfulin historical sites and has published over 30 papers in the field of archaeology.

Introduction

Part I West Asia Civilization Circle

Chapter 1 Sumerian Civilization

1. The Land of Eden

2. Cultural Integration

2.1 Halaf pPeriod

2.2 Ubaid Period

2.3 Uruk Period

3. Sumerian Civilization

3.1The Late Uruk Period- Jemdet Nasr Period

4. Brief History of the Early Dynastic Period

4.1 The Prehistoric Period before theFlood

4.2 The Early Dynastic Period after the Flood

4.3 Akkad period

Chapter 2 Ancient Egyptian Civilization

1. The Gift of the Nile

2. From Culture to Civilization

2.1 Badarian Period

2.2 Naqada pPeriod

3. The Pings of the Upper and Lower Egypt

3.1 Dynasty Zero Period

3.2 The Early Dynastic Period

Supplementary Information:

The Dynasty and King List

Checklist of Historical Periods and King Names

4. The Pyramid Period

Supplementary Information:

Biographical Inscription of Methen (the Old Kingdom Period)

Chapter 3 Harappa Civilization

2. Emergence of Harappa Civilization

2.1 CulturalDeposit (6,500BC-3,300BC)

2.2 Emergence of Happa Civilization (3,300BC-1,900BC)

3. The Flourishing Cities

3.1 Mohenjo-Daro Site

3.2 Harappa Site

3.3 Dholavira Site

Supplementary Information:

4. The Characteristics of Civilization

Part II East Asia Civilization Circle

Chapter 4 The Birth of the Chinese Civilization

1. Peiligang Period and Hougang Period: Origin of an Unequal Society

2. Miaodigou Period: Age of the Yellow Emperor

3. Liangzhu Period: Emergence of the State

4. Longshan Period: Co-existence of the City States

Chapter 5 The Rise of the Crescent Area in Southeast China

1. Liangzhu: The Earliest State Society in East Asia

1.1 Majiangbang Period

1.2 Songze Period

1.3 Liangzhu Period

2. The Rise and Expansion of the East

3. Heydays of Jianghan Region

Chapter 6 The Great Central China Area: The Late Yangshao Period to Miaodigou II Period

1. Huge Changes in the Cultural Landscape of the Late Yangshao Period

2. City Sites and Royal Cemeteries

2.1 Xipo Site

2.2 Xishan City Site

2.3 Resurgence of Miaodigou Phase II Culture

Chapter 7 The Formation of the Crescent Area in Northwest China

1. Tanmiaozhong: Hongshan Civilization

2. Gansu-Qinghai Region