This course will explore key issues in the archaeology of later Prehistoric and Early Historic China, with a particular focus on the understanding of the rise of early civilizations and the formation of early states, as revealed through archaeological evidence from excavations and objects. The period covered will range from the upper Paleolithic period to early agricultural societies of the Neolithic, till the formation of early states in China from the late Neolithic to the early bronze age (20000-1000 BC). Major themes will include the emergence of social complexity, craft production and trade, agriculture and landscape comparisons of early states. In addition, the course will include an overview of the major categories of material culture, including ceramics, jades and bronzes in terms of their production, stylistics and exchange.