An up-to-date synthesis of the archaeology and prehistory of the region called Dongbei by the Chinese, but known in the west as Manchuria. Based on recent archaeological discoveries, the book presents evidence to show that far from being a backwater palely reflecting the glories of central China, Manchuria in prehistory had both its own developmental trajectory, parallel to but different from that of China, and contributed to the formation of the characteristics of what came to be Chinese. New information on the Northeast region of China indicates that it was not populated exclusively by nomadic peoples, but that some of the earliest farming sites can be found here. The Hongshan culture with its Goddess Temple and female figurines is unique, with spectacular and unprecedented jade carving. Lower Xiajiadian culture has painted pottery that can be seen to be the forerunner to the magnificent Shang bronzes.