Sichuan Basin
Relative to the areas surrounding the upper Yellow River and the North China Plain, the Sichuan Basin has played a peripheral role in the development of Chinese civilization. Due to the fertile agricultural characteristics of the basin, numerous cultures developed prior to integration with ancient Chinese dynasties. No written records exist from early cultures in the Sichuan Basin. What little is known about the area is from when contact was made with Shang and Zhou and from the archaeological site of Sanxingdui. Predominant among the known ancient cultures was the Shu State that was independent from the Zhou until it was strategically conquered by the Qin in 316 BCE during the Warring States Period. The Sichuan Basin was integrated into Imperial China under Qin Dynasty for whom it was an important agricultural resource.