Scholars and experts, based on archaeological finds, used to believe that the jade carvings from the Hongshan Culture in the north, dating back to 6,700-5,000 years ago, were the earliest jade carvings in China. In the 1980s and 1990s, a number of jade carvings dating back to 1,000 years prior to the Hongshan Culture were discovered in the ruins at Xinglongwa in Chifeng, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 

It was determined that the Xinglongwa ruins dated back to 6,200BC - 5,400BC, the middle of the Neolithic age, or 7,000 - 8,000 years ago. Because the Xinglongwa jade wares were made from nephrite jade, or "soft jade," instead of regular stone, archaeologists determined that the Xinglongwa jade wares were the earliest true jade wares in China, and the world as well. 

To date, more than 50 pieces of Xinglongwa jade wares have been discovered. Generally small in size, the jade wares mainly consist of accessories such as ring-shaped jade ornaments (believed to be earrings), jade pendants, tool-like miniature jade axes and jade chisels. Showing the most original features of the earliest jade wares and bearing traces of the Mesolithic era, most of them lack any decorative patterns.    

Judging from the choice of material and the techniques used to make them, the Xinglongwa jade wares were fairly advanced. The people of Xinglongwa could distinguish jade from general stone, and it is widely believed that this helped lay a foundation for the development of Chinese jade culture. Also, they had mastered the basic techniques for jade processing such as cutting, drilling and polishing.

A coiled jade dragon ornament unearthed from North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Photos: Courtesy of China Intercontinental Press

Jade rings unearthed from North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Photos: Courtesy of China Intercontinental Press