Early days. Represented by Erlitou culture in Yanshi, Henan Province (see Erlitou site), it dates from about 2080 BC to 65438 BC+0580 BC. Coupled with Xia Feng in Xiaxian, in Shandong, Yueshi culture in Shandong, Xiajiadian culture in the east of the Great Wall in Liaoning and Siba culture in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, various bronzes appeared one after another, and human sacrifices were also found in some tombs. Radiocarbon dating of the above sites (see archaeological chronology) is just within the chronology of Xia Dynasty recorded in history, and these sites should belong to the slavery culture type of Xia Dynasty, which indicates that China has formed a slave country.

Medium term. Including the Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty. The first period of this period is the early Shang Dynasty, about 16 ~ 13 BC, represented by Erligang culture in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. During this period, the slave country developed further, the number of bronzes increased greatly, often accompanied by complete sets of ritual vessels, and a large number of coins appeared, and human sacrifices and sacrifices became more common. The latter stage, from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty, is about 13 BC to 10 BC (before Mu Wang). At this time, China reached its peak in the Bronze Age, which was also a typical period for the development of slavery. The bronze casting process is quite mature, and a large number of exquisite bronze ritual vessels, weapons and tools have been unearthed. At this time, the bronze culture was represented by Yin Ruins in Anyang, which was the political ruling center of Shang Dynasty and the center of bronze casting industry. At this time, large-scale palaces and tombs were built, developed bronze inscriptions and Oracle Bone Inscriptions appeared, and human sacrifice and human sacrifice became a very popular system, which reflected the prosperity of the slave society. The palaces, ancestral halls and tombs of the Zhou Dynasty were excavated in the ruins of Joo Won? and titles in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and a large number of bronze ritual vessels were found, which reflected the maturity of the ancient ritual system in China.

Late stage. From the late Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period, the slave society in China gradually declined. During this period, the capitals of various countries formed prosperous political, economic and cultural centers, and a large number of metal currencies circulated. Outstanding progress has been made in bronze casting technology, and advanced technologies such as separate casting method and lost wax method have appeared. The ancient copper mine discovered in Tonglushan, Hubei Province proved that it had reached a high level in mining, ore blending, furnace building and smelting at that time (see Tonglushan ancient mining and smelting site). In the Warring States period, the bronze manufacturing industry gradually declined under the impetus of iron.