Abstract: From LiangZhu Culture of the later Neolithic Age through HuShu Culture and MaQiao Culture of Xia and Shang dynasties to the establishment of states and substates such as West Zhou, East Zhou and Wuyue, the civilization of the Yangtze Delta undergoes a process of prosperityadversityprosperity. Under such background, the development of the carved symbols of pottery and written characters also experiences different phases, which embodies corresponding characteristics. While LiangZhu carved symbols of the Neolithic Age represents the most advanced level of prehistoric civilization of the Yangtze delta, Maqiao carved symbols, instead of inheriting LiangZhu ones, are initially related to XiaShang Culture of the Central Plains. Up to the West and East dynasties, with the entrance of the carved characters of the Central Plains, they take the place of original carved symbols and become local advanced recognition system. The developing process of carved symbols and written characters, corresponding to the historic phases, take an important part in civilization.

Key words: civilization, symbols and characters, the Yangtze delta