Period

Any specific interval of time in the archaeological record, such as the Upper Paleolithic period. This term is often confusingly used interchangeably with phase and stage. A period is a true time division of the history of a large region (such as the Valley of Mexico or southern China) and does not necessarily imply any developmental characteristics. In archaeological context, it is a major unit of prehistoric time, usually containing several phases and pertaining to a wide area. It is a convenient term used to discuss the history of a complex area.

The latter part of the Zhou dynasty, from 770 bc to the extinction of the Zhou royal house in 256 bc (or, more loosely, to the founding of the Qin dynasty in 221 bc). See Zhou.

The earlier part of the Zhou dynasty, from the fall of the Shang dynasty (in the 12th or 11th century bc) to 771 bc. See Zhou.