Sculptures carved from stones, including images of a dog, tortoise and bear, have been found in Korea, dating to 20,000 years ago. Some strands of hair found at the same site show these people might be the early ancestors of the modern Korean, Japanese and Chinese people.

Agriculture appears to have come to China a little later than other neighbouring areas. The oldest neolithic culture in northern China is Peiligang and dates to about 8500 years ago. There were well-established farming villages. Dogs, pigs and chickens were domesticated, and millet and Chinese cabbage were being grown.