es and lustrous qualities of jade evolved from
             a selective process within a highly developed "lithic" industry (Schmidt
             pp). The visual sensibility to and high regard the ancient Chinese had for
             jade is evident by the numerous number of finely cut and polished jade
             ceremonial tools, ritual objects, and ornaments produced by some of China's
             earliest Neolithic cultures (Schmidt pp). Prismatic tubes and discs, along
             with weapons and tools of jade and other hard stones have been found in
             large number from the Liangzhu culture of 3300 - 2250 BCE (Schmidt pp).
             Due to the age of these and other early examples, it is not possible to
             define exactly the symbolic content or uses of these objects, however since
             there is none of the typical characteristics of usage, such as scaring and
             chipping, it is believed that they served ceremonial and possibly
             protective functions (Schmidt pp). Cut and polished jade ornaments
             continued to be used throughout the early historic periods of the Shang and
             Zhou Dynasties (Schmidt pp). Jade plaques sewn onto shrouds or other
             covering for corpses during the Han dynasty period can be traced back to
             Neolithic beginnings (Schmidt pp). It is believed that these ritual
             objects with their geometric and zoomorphic forms and motifs undoubtedly
             held potent meanings for those responsible for their creation and most
             ...