| 仰韶 | | Yangshao | ya-ang shrao? | Central: 4800-3200BCE. characterized by reddish earthenware painted with black decorative designs |
| 马家窑 | | Majiayao | ma-a jya~ yow? | Northwest: 3800-2000 BCE. Perhaps subculture of Yanghao |
| 红山 | | Hongshan | hone? shran~ | Northeast: 3500-2500 BCE, known for their pig dragons |
| 河姆渡 | | Hemudu | huh? moo-oo doo! | East: 5000-4500 BCE, blackware pottery, lacquered bowls |
| 大汶口 | | Dawenkou | dah! wen! ko-oh | East: 4500-3000 BCE, thin black/gray pottery |
| 良渚 | | Liangzhu | lee-ahng zhroo-oo | East: 3000-2000 BCE, known for jade bi and cong |
| 龙山 | | Longshan | lone? shran~ | Central: 2500-1700 BCE, eggshell-thin black pottery, copper |
| 三星堆 | | Sanxingdui | san~ shing~ dway~ | West: 2800-800 BCE? |
| 璧 | | Bi | bee! | pierced jade disc |
| 琮 | | Cong | tsown? | jade tube |
| 玉 | | Yu | yü! | jade | |
| 夏 | | Xia | she-yah! | 2000-1500 BCE??? Prehistory, told as myth and legend |
| 商 | | Shang | shr-ahng~ | 1500-1050 BCE |
| 安阳 | | Anyang | ahn~ yahng? | Capital of Shang |
| 妇好 | | Fu Hao | Foo! hao? | Lady Fu Hao, d. 1200BCE. Shang bronze set. Also known as SiMuXin (司母辛) |
| 周 | | Zhou | zhr-oh~ | 1050-221 BCE |
| 楚 | | Chu | Chr-o-oo? | 9th century - 223 BCE |
| 曾侯乙 | | Zenghou Yi | dsung~ hoh? yee-ee | Marquis Yi of Zeng, d.433 BCE. Many Eastern Zhou bronzes found, including set of bells. |
| 博钟 | | Bozhong | bwo? zhrone~ | bell |
| 錞于 | | Chunyu | chr-wen? yü-ü | military bell, top-heavy, often with tiger handle |
| 鼎 | | Ding | di-ing | tripod food vessel |
| 豆 | | Dou | doh! | |
| 方斝 | | Fangjia | fahng~ jya-ah? | wine warmer |
| 方鼎 | | Fangding | fahng~ di-ing | |
| 方彝 | | Fangyi | fahng~ yi? | |
| 觥 | | Gong | gong~ | horn-shaped wine vessel |
| 觚 | | Gu | goo～ | narrow-waisted wine-drinking vessel |
| 簋 | | Gui | gway-ay? | vessel for food offering |
| 壶 | | Hu | hoo? | wine vessel |
| 斝 | | Jia | jya-ah? | three-legged wine vessel with posts |
| 爵 | | Jue | jew-eh | tripod wine vessel with spouted mouth |
| 夔龙 | | Kuilong | kwei? lone? | dragon decorative motif |
| 盘 | | Pan | pan | shallow water basin |
| 饕餮 | | Taotie | tao～ tee-eh！ | masklike decorative motif |
| 卣 | | You | yo-oh | wine vessel with lid and handle |
| 尊 | | Zun | ts-wen~ | wine vessel |