The term Stone Age was a broad prehistoric period lasting more than 3 million years, during which stone was widely used to make tools with an edge, a point, or a percussion surface. It has been classified into three loosely identified periods, The Paleolithic (Old), The Mesolithic (Middle), and the Neolithic (New).The Neolithic Period is recognized as the period in time when man began to farm, which was more than 12,000 years ago in the Middle East, and ended with the development of bronze, which varied radically in man's timeline depending on the location in the world.More than 20 different Neolithic cultures existed in different parts of China from at least 10,000 years ago until about 1500 BC, but none produced ceramics as beautiful as the painted pottery of the people of The Majiayao culture in the Upper Yellow River region in Northern China from 3300 to 2000 BC.The Majiayao culture was also divided into three distinct periods, the Majiayao, The Banshan, and Machang.This large painted red pottery jar dates to the Neolithic Majiaya culture, and its use of both dark red and black paint clearly identifies it as from the Banshan period. It features a sloping upper body with a pair of lug handles applied at mid-body. The sweeping black spirals create four roundels filled with a bold red circle encasing fishnet patterns, all above a wave band that circles the jar at mid-body. The cylindrical neck with a slightly flared rim and the inside lip of the mouth are painted in wave and fishnet patterns.China, 3rd Millenium BC. 11 x 12.5 inches