Gold has long been a symbol of supremacy in the human history in the West extending from Europe, Nile River valley, Asia Minor to India. On the other hand, jade is the symbol of excellence of oriental civilizations. It has been beloved and treasured in the East by the Mongoloid in East Asia and Central America for the last 10,000 years. In a macroscopic sense, studies on the jade culture of East Asia should be probed in the context of the Mongoloid history.

This book was published for the Third Conference on Ancient Cultures of South China and Neighboring Regions held in 1998. The first two volumes are 61 essays presented in the conference by experts and scholars in archaeology, history, fine arts, and mineralogical studies from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Europe, America, and several other East Asian countries. Chinese jades from the prehistoric down to the late imperial period are discussed. Studies of jades unearthed from other East Asian countries and from the Central America are also included. The third volume is a colored catalogue of the jades discussed. These three volumes are the first book ever endeavored to comprehensively delve into the study of Jade Culture of East Asia, and they will certainly captivate and rivet the attention of many for a long time to come.