Neolithic Period Four-Piece Sectional Turquoise Bi Disc - This is an ancient Chinese jade Bi (disc), believed to be from the Neolithic period. These discs can be dated back to at least 5000 BC, were placed in tombs on the bodies of Chinese aristocrats. Their original function and the way that they were made still eludes scientists, considering they were carved out of Jade, an extremely hard rock, at a time where metal tools did not exist. They appear to have been very important to the Chinese culture, as they have been found laid on the bodies of the dead in almost all important tombs of the Hongshan culture (3800 _ 2700 BC), and carried on into the Liangzhu culture (3000 _ 2000 BC). They were used as a status or religious symbol and researchers guess their meaning had to do with the sun or the afterlife. This piece is ultra rare, as bi discs were usually made of jade, and were one solid piece. The disc is in stunning, museum quality condition. Measures 12" in diameter (when put together) x 0.25" thick.