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Longshan or black pottery culture, took place in the middle and lower Yellow river valley areas of northern China
It was from around 3000 to 1900 BC

In 1928, the first archaeological find of this culture took place, at the Chengziya archaeological site. The first major excavations were in 1930 and 1931
Uncovered were the reputable highly polished black pottery, and there fragments. This is what the culture became well known for. Beautiful eggshell ceramics, and other types of course. Originally some said they may have been linked to Cucuteni. Or, even western European origin. Though this theory’s mostly debunked. It’s believed with there neat and strong technology from around 5000 years ago (3000 BC). Allowed the culture to rapidly expand.

Their pottery kilns had more air vents. They could control heat and ashes better. Not damaging the wares
Compared to the surrounding regions, Longshan pottery was more advanced. They had fine sources of clay, and used a ‘fast-turning’ pottery wheel. It allowed the potters to create wares only a few mm thick. The combination of finely grained clay, a wheel, and advanced kiln. Allowed greater control and manipulation. And, the pottery even turned black.

They were able to make new objects. Such as slender drinking vessels, jugs with handles, and tripods with an upturned spout. Known as gui

Important sources of food. Including foxtail, and broomcorn millet; rice; and, wheat had been found too
Evidence suggests not only the cultivation of crops. But as well as the domestication of pigs, sheep, goat and dogs. Though, its believed the millet may have been for animals. Specialized tools for digging, harvesting and grinding grain have been recovered. And, this perminant shift to agriculture was a significant development in Chinese history.

Communities typically had densely populated settlements with impressive defensive structures, such as moats and walls
Its believed settlements may have been early cities with different classes and occupations. Architecture and technology was well constructed. They had wells. And places were built using walls of rammed earth; and with clay pipes for plumbing. (1) As well, they had large elite residences and ritual structures.

Stone tools such as sharp dagger-axes were introduced
Suggesting the further degree of social organization. As well, the potential for conflict. (1)

There are signs of sacrifice
Scapulae of cattle, pigs, sheep and deer were found appearing to be heated. In some form of divination, ritual or sacrifice. (2)

Did you know? Raising silkworm may have also been known; and, included in the early production of silks.

According to the wide spanning region of the culture. They can further be divided into two types Shandong, and Hehan (3)

The center of Shandong is a mountainous area, including Mount Tai (1,545 m) and other several other peaks over 1000 m
The largest sites found in Shandong are Liangchengzhen (273 ha) and Yaowangcheng (368 ha). Production of pottery, stone tools and textiles were common here. There is evidence suggesting the production of fermented beverages and prestige items here. Such as those made from jade and metal. These areas were probably regional centers for production and exchange of goods.

The “Longshan giants”: individuals of extraordinary stature were recovered here
Some of the males remains recovered are amongst the tallest neolithic populations in the world. Samples fell between 180 cm and 190 cm height range (almost 6’3″). The area still remains capital to some of the tallest asians. (4)

Hougang II was also an important area. It may have had the first wells in the Yellow river area

Taosi was a large walled site in the middle yellow river area
In later periods. There are signs of warfare here. Because rammed earth walls were destroyed, and a newer center (Fangcheng) was built 20km southeast.

Sanliqiao II included both above ground and semi-subterraneon homes
Some even built horozontially into cliffs. And, using plaster.

Other sites and area sites included Kexingzhuang II, Wangyoufang, and Wangwan III

It was an important period in history
Thin-bodied black pottery, included the ‘fast-wheel’ making technique, advanced kilns and good clay. Allowed the area to become iconicity known for there craft and skills. The emergence of a large number of city sites, and, class antagonisms. Was all unique developments for this time period.

It is believed ‘black pottery culture’ engaged in cultural exchange with neighbouring cultures

Scholars agree chalcolithic may have begun around 2600 to 2000 BC
Succeeded in the bronze age was Erlitou culture. Often considered a precursor to the larger Shang dynasty.

Overall, the culture is significant. Especially in Chinese history, as it represents a crucial stage in the development of agricultural societies. Establishment of social complexity, and initiation of metal ages in the yellow river regions.

Citations: 1) John S. Major, Constance A. Cook (2016). Ancient China A History. Taylor and Francis. p. 48. ISBN 9781317503668

2) Zhao, Chunqing (2013), “The Longshan culture in central Henan province, c.2600–1900 BC”, in Underhill, Anne P. (ed.), A Companion to Chinese Archaeology, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 236–254, ISBN 978-1-4443-3529-3.

3) Wen, Shao-Qing; Tong, Xin-Zhu; Li, Hui (2016-12-28). “Y-chromosome-based genetic pattern in East Asia affected by Neolithic transition”. Quaternary International. Domestication East Asia. 426: 50–55. Bibcode:2016QuInt.426…50W. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2016.03.027. ISSN 1040-6182.
3) Wang, Mengge; Zou, Xing; Ye, Hui-Yuan; Wang, Z.; Liu, Y.; Liu, J.; Wang, Fei; Yao, Hongbing; Chen, P.; Tao, R.; Wang, Shouyu (2020). “Peopling of Tibet Plateau and multiple waves of admixture of Tibetans inferred from both modern and ancient genome-wide data”. bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2020.07.03.185884. S2CID 220366671.

4) Dockrill, Peter. “The Ancient Remains of 5,000-Year-Old ‘Giants’ Discovered in China”. ScienceAlert. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
Yang, Yachang; Zhu, Yizhi (2010). “The 4000-Year-Old “Longshan Giant” Discovered in Shaanxi Province, China”. Radiocarbon. 52 (1): 65–68. doi:10.1017/S0033822200045033. ISSN 0033-8222. S2CID 130263768.

Bibliography:
Liu, Li (2005), The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-81184-2

Peng, Peng (1 October 2021). “Decentralizing the Origin of Civilization: Early Archaeological Efforts in China” (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/715935). History of Humanities. 6 (2): 515–548. doi:10.1086/715935 (https://doi.org/10.1086%2F715935). ISSN 2379-3163 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2379-3163). S2CID 244133983 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:244133983)

Cohen, David J.; Murowchick, Robert E. (2014), “Early complex societies in Northern China”, in Renfrew, Colin; Bahn, Paul (eds.), The Cambridge World Prehistory, vol. 2, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, pp. 782–806, ISBN 978-1-107-02378-9.

Valenstein, Suzanne G. A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1989