Majiayao painted pottery

Spiral, zigzag, diamond, gourd and mesh patterns were popular and mostly painted on the upper belly parts of the potteries. The potteries have a wide range of shapes in refined and well-proportioned designs. Large storage potteries, such as pots, urns and cans, are the main types of Banshan potteries discovered, implying the further development of a settled lifestyle among local farmers.

Potteries from this period typically have fine lines and larger belly parts, with the diameter roughly equal to the height. The pottery surface was finely polished as well. All these indicate a significant improvement in pottery-making techniques in this phase.

Machang culture dates back to 4,000 years ago. In this period, potteries were made in more varieties, patterns and colors. More pottery models have been discovered, with single-ear cylindrical cups with handles being the most representative. Machang culture features the dominance of red potteries, coupled with a small number of gray and white ones. Potteries in the early stage of this period are better polished, while only a small number of those in the later stage discovered are polished and a majority of the rest remain unpolished with rugged appearance. A large number of potteries are coated red, in addition to some coated white. Typical patterns on the potteries are four circles, variant divines and human figures, zigzags, frets, hexagrams, rhombi, and triangles.