现代人类约公元前50000年第一次从中亚或印度来到中国。这些石器时代(Stone Age)的人，居住在洞穴中，穿着毛皮。公元前4000年左右，这些人开始种植水稻，并饲养羊和鸡。约公元前3000年，他们开始使用陶器(pottery)并住在房子里。到公元前2000年，中国人已进入青铜时代(Bronze Age)，并开始用于写字。约公元前700年，中国的金属工人学会制作铁器工具和武器。

  Modem humans first came to China from Central Asia or India about 50,000 BC. These were Stone Age people, who lived in caves and wore fur and leather. By around 4,000 BC, these people were starting to farm rice and keep sheep and chickens. By about 3,000 BC, they were using pottery and living in houses. By 2,000 BC，Chinese people had entered the Bronze Age and had begun to use writing. By about 700 BC， Chinese metal-workers learned to make iron tools and weapons.