Science June 2012 PMID 22745428

Early pottery at 20,000 years ago in Xianrendong Cave, China.

Xiaohong Wu, Chi Zhang, Paul Goldberg, David Cohen, Yan Pan, Trina Arpin, Ofer Bar-Yosef

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Mentions

84
Peak: 16 in Apr 2025
across 6 sources since Mar 2020

Extended reach

909,752
potential audience

Total likes

16,256

Video views

624,833

Mentions per month

Mar 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter38 posts
  • News16 articles
  • Facebook12 posts
  • Blogs12 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Posts consistently highlight the significance of the 20,000-year-old pottery discovery, with many sharing links to videos or documentaries that explore the topic deeply, reflecting both curiosity and acknowledgment of its importance, while the enthusiastic tone reinforces a shared excitement about advances in understanding ancient technologies.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the discovery of the oldest pottery, with many referencing the date and its implications for understanding early human technology.

InterestHigh interest

The topic clearly sparks high curiosity, as evidenced by numerous mentions and enthusiasm about the research, videos, and documentaries.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants actively share related videos, question historical implications, and discuss the spread of pottery, showing thoughtful interaction.

ImpactHigh impact

The widespread attention and the framing of the discovery as 'older than expected' or 'game-changing' indicate a substantial influence on the perception of early human innovation.

Abstract in brief

  • Early pottery in Xianrendong Cave China dates back to approximately 20,000 years ago, making it the oldest known pottery in East Asia.
  • Radiocarbon dating reveals these pottery shards are about 2,000 to 3,000 years older than other ancient pottery finds, indicating early technological development.
  • The evidence suggests that mobile foragers used pottery for cooking during the Late Glacial Maximum, well before the advent of agriculture, highlighting its importance in prehistoric subsistence practices.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread across hunter-gatherer groups in Eurasia. You can see it here: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

May 6, 2025 · 31 likes · 4 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 27 likes · 7 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

@VVeltkrieger There's a good video about this: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Aug 5, 2025 · 25 likes · 2 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

This is in response to my video on the earliest known pottery in the world (from the Far East) and its spread across Eurasia. More sources are listed in the description. https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 16, 2025 · 18 likes · 1 share · 19,107 followers View post →
रूपा भाटी Rupa Bhaty
@ArchitectRupa · X

Pottery was a hunter-gatherer innovation that first emerged in East Asia between 20,000 and 12,000 calibrated years before present. Wu, X. et al. Early pottery at 20,000 years ago in Xianrendong Cave, China. Science 336, 1696–1700 (2012)

Sep 15, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 12,421 followers View post →
Miguel Manibardo
@MiguelHilargiak · X

https://t.co/RHfGw3j11C

Apr 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 31,991 followers View post →

All mentions

Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: @VVeltkrieger There's a good video about this: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Aug 27, 2025 · 2 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
MADZUO SPAM 1.01:Dum spiro, spero.
@MADZUO1_01 · X

電車の中で気になった動画 晩ご飯食べながら視ようかな(´ω`*) 世界初の陶器はあなたが思っているよりも古い https://t.co/htPghHsFrk

Aug 12, 2025 · 286 followers View post →
Pax Weltkrieg
@VVeltkrieger · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: @VVeltkrieger There's a good video about this: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Aug 5, 2025 · 2 shares · 2,613 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

@VVeltkrieger There's a good video about this: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Aug 5, 2025 · 25 likes · 2 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

@qyld1234 Have you seen my video about it? https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Aug 4, 2025 · 1 like · 19,107 followers View post →
Ridge Cook
@Ridge_Cook · X

@f_alconer @cantgoback69 @smalls2672 @Booniesouthcott Interesting. Oldest fired pottery from China but potter's wheel developed in MidEast. https://t.co/LAJSVa26f6

Jul 7, 2025 · 1 like · 1,307 followers View post →
TomiTapio
@Tomi_Tapio · X

For fans of #TimelineOfMankind early stuff https://t.co/8TJqpyuHdV

Jun 1, 2025 · 1 like · 2,056 followers View post →
TDub
@forthosewholaze · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread…

May 8, 2025 · 4 shares · 667 followers View post →
Eric
@ESP_62 · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread…

May 6, 2025 · 4 shares · 87 followers View post →
paul bindweed the sequel
@paul_bindweed · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread…

May 6, 2025 · 4 shares · 687 followers View post →
William Murphy
@420GHz · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread…

May 6, 2025 · 4 shares · 4,581 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

There is a really wonderful film all about the earliest ceramics, the first pottery, and the way ceramic pottery spread across hunter-gatherer groups in Eurasia. You can see it here: https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

May 6, 2025 · 31 likes · 4 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
Claudia Ulrich
@Ulrich1976c · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: This is in response to my video on the earliest known pottery in the world (from the Far East) and its spread across Eu…

Apr 16, 2025 · 1 share · 2,642 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

This is in response to my video on the earliest known pottery in the world (from the Far East) and its spread across Eurasia. More sources are listed in the description. https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 16, 2025 · 18 likes · 1 share · 19,107 followers View post →
Miguel Manibardo
@MiguelHilargiak · X

https://t.co/RHfGw3j11C

Apr 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 31,991 followers View post →
Citizen of EU
@wavetossed · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 6, 2025 · 7 shares · 9,505 followers View post →
Claudia Ulrich
@Ulrich1976c · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 6, 2025 · 7 shares · 2,642 followers View post →
Paul Barford
@PortantIssues · X

One to challenge the schematic thinking &1980s @NatGeo knowledge base of @Graham__Hancock's Hancockians and @BrightInsight6 with his Corsettamite following: we had "Pre-pottery Neolithic mysteries" now what about "pre-Neolithic pottery (was it aliens?)"? https://t.co/b73OgboDgT

Apr 6, 2025 · 1 like · 1,692 followers View post →
Bell Boyd
@Bell_Boyd · X

The World's First Pottery is Older Than You Think https://t.co/mIqKZVWwlI via @YouTube

Apr 6, 2025 · 6,375 followers View post →
Greg study AI and Writing
@GregTales · X

https://t.co/BK2Fbmj1WD

Apr 5, 2025 · 195 followers View post →
Jordi Mon Companys
@MordodeMaru · X

The World's First Pottery is Older Than You Think https://t.co/jow9lWmig8 by @DanDavisWrites

Apr 5, 2025 · 679 followers View post →
lulelule
@dyatlovpass94 · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 7 shares · 57 followers View post →
Ucedo
@Ucedo95 · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 7 shares · 893 followers View post →
S q u i d
@SidElSquid · X

The World's First Pottery is Older Than You Think https://t.co/t56g3UZWw5 via @YouTube

Apr 5, 2025 · 782 followers View post →
Ancient Europeans
@ancient_euro3 · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 7 shares · 6,188 followers View post →
Fjordman
@Fjordman1 · X

RT @DanDavisWrites: See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 7 shares · 4,422 followers View post →
Dan Davis
@DanDavisWrites · X

See the whole thing right now, here: (I hope you enjoy the film!) https://t.co/bFAY8juFsh

Apr 5, 2025 · 27 likes · 7 shares · 19,107 followers View post →
RtA
@RTheatheist · X

@wendelltalks 20,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese were busy making some of the world's first pottery which may have been used for cooking. https://t.co/iTdXtzRCVB

Sep 16, 2023 · 1 like · 1,555 followers View post →
Nilesh Nilkanth Oak निलेश ओक
@NileshOak · X

RT @ArchitectRupa: Pottery was a hunter-gatherer innovation that first emerged in East Asia between 20,000 and 12,000 calibrated years befo…

Sep 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 64,510 followers View post →
Samir Panday
@SamirIndology · X

RT @ArchitectRupa: Pottery was a hunter-gatherer innovation that first emerged in East Asia between 20,000 and 12,000 calibrated years befo…

Sep 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 318 followers View post →
रूपा भाटी Rupa Bhaty
@ArchitectRupa · X

Pottery was a hunter-gatherer innovation that first emerged in East Asia between 20,000 and 12,000 calibrated years before present. Wu, X. et al. Early pottery at 20,000 years ago in Xianrendong Cave, China. Science 336, 1696–1700 (2012)

Sep 15, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 12,421 followers View post →
RtA
@RTheatheist · X

@ICRscience @randyguliuzza 20,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese were busy making some of the world's first pottery which may have been used for cooking. Funny how the mythologies of Mesopotamia didn't apply to people who lived much too early in lands much too far away. https://t.co/iTdXtzRCVB

Jan 4, 2023 · 1,555 followers View post →
William Selwyn
@wiherewini · X

Watch "The Invention of Pottery - China & Czechia (Prehistory Documentary)" on YouTube https://t.co/D9OahOH6Zy

Mar 20, 2022 · 1 like · 29 followers View post →
A.
@anonflail · X

Was also shocked to read that the oldest pottery was from 20,000 years ago?! Jiangxi, apparently… https://t.co/4sFxSn7ri2

Sep 10, 2021 · 2,234 followers View post →
Helena
@Leiuqeze_Yxam · X

The Invention of Pottery - China & Czechia (Prehistory Documentary) https://t.co/a072lGfDER vía @YouTube

Apr 13, 2020 · 1 like · 184 followers View post →
Futureq.TV
@FutureqTV · X

RT @FutureqTV: The Invention of Pottery – China & Czechia (Prehistory Documentary) https://t.co/4gZgPtmEiO https://t.co/MdbKLupz2t

Mar 27, 2020 · 1 share · 886 followers View post →
Futureq.TV
@FutureqTV · X

The Invention of Pottery – China & Czechia (Prehistory Documentary) https://t.co/4gZgPtmEiO https://t.co/MdbKLupz2t

Mar 26, 2020 · 1 share · 886 followers View post →
sherman osborn
@nascar_oz · X

The Invention of Pottery - China & Czechia (Prehistory Documentary) https://t.co/Cek6Zwv9Gt via @YouTube

Mar 25, 2020 · 5,184 followers View post →