Dating data, altitude of Neolithic sites, climatic changes from sedimentary records and previous research results were collected and analyzed to detect possible connections between climatic changes and human activitie...Dating data, altitude of Neolithic sites, climatic changes from sedimentary records and previous research results were collected and analyzed to detect possible connections between climatic changes and human activities in the Changjiang River Delta in the Neolithic Age. The results indicated that hydrological changes greatly impacted the human activities in the study region. Low-lying geomorphology made the floods and sea level changes become the important factors affecting human activities, especially the altitude change of human settlements. People usually moved to higher places during the periods characterized by high sea level and frequent floods to escape the negative influences from water body expansion, which resulted in cultural hiatus in certain profiles. However, some higher-altitude settlements were not the results of climatic changes but the results of social factors, such as religious ceremony and social status. Therefore, further research will be necessary for the degree and types of impacts of climatic changes on human activities in the study area at that time.展开更多
The orientations of ancient tombs have attracted increasing scholarly attention,as they offer valuable insights into early social structures,cultural traditions,and the relationship between humans and their environmen...The orientations of ancient tombs have attracted increasing scholarly attention,as they offer valuable insights into early social structures,cultural traditions,and the relationship between humans and their environment.However,the application of machine learning algorithms to the study of tomb orientation remains relatively underexplored.In this study,we employed a Gaussian mixture model to conduct a systematic analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of Neolithic tomb orientations in Central China.We also examined the relationship between tomb orientation and both environmental factors and sociocultural dynamics.The findings suggest a deliberate and methodical approach to the planning and alignment of tombs during the Neolithic Age.Tomb orientations in each chronological phase displayed clear clustering patterns,reflecting a developmental trajectory from uniformity to diversity,and ultimately toward integration.While early angular measurement techniques appear to have emerged,they do not show evidence of sustained technical progression.Instead,different periods seem to have achieved similar levels of directional accuracy.The predominance of westward-facing tombs may be closely tied to both topographic features and the symbolic association with sunset.At the same time,cultural evolution and interregional exchange played essential roles in shaping the distinctive patterns of prehistoric tomb orientation.This research contributes not only to the understanding of ancient funerary practices but also demonstrates the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies in advancing archaeological analysis.展开更多
Rochlitz porphyry tuff(“Rochlitzer Porphyrtuff”),a slightly welded ignimbrite from the North Saxon Volcanic Complex–a Permian supervolcano in East Germany–was used for millstones already in Neolithic age.The first...Rochlitz porphyry tuff(“Rochlitzer Porphyrtuff”),a slightly welded ignimbrite from the North Saxon Volcanic Complex–a Permian supervolcano in East Germany–was used for millstones already in Neolithic age.The first use as building and sculpturing stone dates back to the early 12^(th) century,when quarries at the Rochlitz Mountain(“Rochlitzer Berg”)provided stone blocks for ashlars,sculptures and other purposes in the region between Leipzig and Chemnitz.In the first half of the 20th century,the material was used for buildings in many other German cities,like Berlin,Dresden,Frankfurt,Hamburg,and Munich.Moreover,it was applied in Kaliningrad(Russia),Vienna(Austria)as well as in some places in the Czech Republic,Poland and Denmark.The stone is presented with its petrographic and technical properties.Furthermore,the use in ancient and modern buildings,the quarrying techniques and heritage issues are discussed.The old quarry area of the Rochlitz Mountain is part of the German National Geopark“Porphyrland”,and two quarries are still producing stone for construction and restoration purposes as well as for sculptures.展开更多
Based on the temporal-spatial distribution features of ancient settlement sites from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han dynasty in the Chaohu Lake Basin of Anhui Province, East China, using the methods of GI...Based on the temporal-spatial distribution features of ancient settlement sites from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han dynasty in the Chaohu Lake Basin of Anhui Province, East China, using the methods of GIS combined with the reconstructed paleoen- vironment by the records of lake sediment since Holocene, the transmutation of ancient set- tlements with response to environmental changes in this area has been discussed. Studies show that the main feature of transmutation of ancient settlements from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han Dynasty was that the distribution of settlements in this area changed from high altitudes to low ones and kept approaching the Chaohu Lake with the passage of time. These could be the response to the climate change from warm-moist to a relatively warm-dry condition during the middle Holocene, leading to the lake level fluctuations. The large area of exposed land provided enough space for human activities. These indicate that the above changes in geomorphologic evolution and hydrology influenced by climate condi- tions affected the transmutation of ancient settlements greatly. The distribution pattern of settlement sites was that the number of sites in the west was more than in the east. This pattern may be related to the geomorphologic conditions such as frequent channel shifting of the Yangtze River as well as flood disasters during the Holocene optimum. Therefore, climate change was the inducement of the transmutation of ancient settlements in the Chaohu Lake Basin, which exerted great influence on the distribution, expansion and development of the ancient settlements.展开更多
Social responses to climate change over human history have been widely discussed in academia over the last two decades. However, the transformation of the human–environment nexus crossing prehistoric and historic per...Social responses to climate change over human history have been widely discussed in academia over the last two decades. However, the transformation of the human–environment nexus crossing prehistoric and historic periods and the processes associated with it are not yet clearly understood. In this study, based on published works on radiocarbon dating, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and archaeological sites, together with a synthesis of historical documents and highresolution paleoclimatic records, we trace the extent to which human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor in northwestern China evolved in conjunction with climate change over the last 5,000 years. A total of 129 Neolithic, 126 Bronze Age, and 1,378 historical sites in the Hexi Corridor(n=1,633) were surveyed. Our results show that, in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age periods(~2800–100 BC), climate change contributed to the transformation of subsistence strategies and the subsequent changes in human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor. The warm-humid climate in ~2800–2000 BC promoted millet agriculture and helped the Majiayao, Banshan, and Machang Cultures to flourish. The cold-dry climate in ~2000–100 BC resulted in the divergence and transformation of subsistence strategies in the Xichengyi–Qijia–Siba and Shajing–Shanma Cultures and in a shift in their settlement patterns. However, in the historical period(121 BC–AD 1911), human settlement patterns were primarily determined by geopolitics related to the alternating rule of regimes and frequent wars, especially in the Sui–Tang dynasties. We also find that trans-Eurasian cultural exchange since ~2000 BC improved social resilience to climate change in the Hexi Corridor, mediating the human–environment nexus there. Our findings may provide insights into how human societies reacted to climate change in arid and semi-arid environments over the long term.展开更多
It is widely accepted that Holocene climatic and environmental changes had major impacts on socioeconomic development and the evolution of civilization.The eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau(TP)has been an importan...It is widely accepted that Holocene climatic and environmental changes had major impacts on socioeconomic development and the evolution of civilization.The eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau(TP)has been an important passageway for south‒north migration of agricultural groups since the late Neolithic.Prehistoric farmers began to occupy the northeastern Tibetan plateau(NETP)and the area of modern Yunnan Province(YNP),on the southeastern margin of the TP,from∼5200 BP and∼4600 BP,respectively.This occupation was potentially closely linked to climatic and environmental changes;however,the spatiotemporal pattern of moisture variations between these two regions,and its possible impact on human settlement and the migration of farming communities along the eastern margin of the TP during the late Neolithic and Bronze Age,are unclear.In the present study,well-dated sedimentary records with unambiguous indicators of humidity variations from the NETP and YNP were integrated,along with radiocarbon dates from human and animal bones and the remains of crop plants from archaeological sites in this region.The results indicate a long-term,out-of-phase relationship of moisture variations between the NETP and YNP during the middle to late Holocene.A mid-late Holocene increase in humidity on the NETP facilitated the development of agropastoral societies during the period of∼5200‒2200 BP.However,pronounced cooling from∼5000 BP forced the southward dispersal of millet farming groups along the eastern margin of the TP during the fifth millennium BP.Decreasing moisture in YNP promoted the expansion of an open landscape,which affected the development of agriculture during the period of∼4600‒2200 BP.Our results suggest that changes in moisture affected the development of prehistoric agriculture in the northeastern and southeastern marginal areas of the TP in different ways,implying that the development of prehistoric human society largely depended on the regional climatic conditions.展开更多
It is generally recognized that millet agriculture originated in northern China. However, the domestication process of foxtail millet(Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet(Panicum miliaceum) is still poorly understood...It is generally recognized that millet agriculture originated in northern China. However, the domestication process of foxtail millet(Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet(Panicum miliaceum) is still poorly understood. Based on statistical and morphological analyses of ancient millet starch grains, a tangible hypothesis has been proposed for the long-term domestication of green foxtail millet(S. viridis). However, the hypothesis requires validation by evidence from more regions and more archaeological finds. The West Liaohe region is one of the earliest regions of millet cultivation. Here, we report ancient starch grains recovered from 12 stone grinding tools from eight sites of the Xiaohexi culture(before 8.5 ka BP), Xinglongwa culture(8.2–7.4 ka BP), Zhaobaogou culture(7.0–6.4 ka BP), and Hongshan culture(6.5–5.0 ka BP) in the West Liaohe region of China. Our results indicate that the proportion of millet starch grains with wrinkled surfaces and rough edges, which are diagnostic of wild millet grasses, decreased from 13.0% to 3.4% from the Xiaohexi culture to the Hongshan culture. Millet starch grains measuring >16.8 ?m, a size class recorded only in domesticated foxtail millet, increased from 55.0% to 62.1%. These millet data imply that the process of millet domestication in the West Liaohe region began in the Xiaohexi period and continued up to the Hongshan period.展开更多
The Beiqian site,located in Jimo city,Qingdao,went through three archaeological excavations,and a large number of human and animal bones in the Dawenkou culture and the Zhou Dynasty period were unearthed.By carbon and...The Beiqian site,located in Jimo city,Qingdao,went through three archaeological excavations,and a large number of human and animal bones in the Dawenkou culture and the Zhou Dynasty period were unearthed.By carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis,the diet of ancestors is expected to be recovered,and the domesticated plants and animals will be discussed.The investigated results showed that the food structure of ancestors in both periods included food crops,mainly C4 foods,and meat,mainly marine shellfish and livestock.For domestic pigs,they mainly eat C3 plants,and were affected by the lifestyle of ancestors.This study also showed that the diet of ancestors is the shellfish rather than marine fish despite the Beiqian site is located near the shoreline.We can conclude that the diet of ancestors in Dawenkou culture period included millet crops(C4plants),shellfish,marine food,and livestock,representing the lifestyle of farming,domestication,and fishing,supplemented by hunting.In the Zhou dynasty period the meat resource was enriched by domesticated animals and marine fisheries,and the living conditions were significantly improved.展开更多
This article examines the abundant marine mollusc,and fish remains at the Jingtoushan shell midden(8,300 to7,800 cal a BP)in Zhejiang Province,China,to investigate the fishing economy,community development,the palaeoe...This article examines the abundant marine mollusc,and fish remains at the Jingtoushan shell midden(8,300 to7,800 cal a BP)in Zhejiang Province,China,to investigate the fishing economy,community development,the palaeoenvironment,and their interactions among the prehistoric populations in the lower Yangtze River Basin and southeastern coastal China.It also attempts to explore the prosperity and decline of coastal settlements in China during the Neolithic Age and the potential reasons for their rise and fall,respectively.Based on the ecological and biological principles of marine animals,standard zooarchaeological methods and radiocarbon dating analysis are used for sampling,identification,measurement,and quantification.Results show that at least 11 mollusc taxa and 14 fish taxa can be identified from the Jingtoushan faunal assemblage.The ancient Jingtoushan residents possibly lived in a settlement close to the coast and engaged in inshore and offshore fishing,hunting,and gathering as their primary subsistence strategies,with low-level rice cultivation as a supplementary means of sustenance.Eventually,the changes in the coastal environment could be one of the reasons why the Jingtoushan residents abandoned their settlement.The research contributes to Chinese Neolithic archaeology with new evidence of the exploitation of marine resources around 8000 a BP in the eastern coastal areas and the relationship between Neolithic community development and environmental changes.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of K. C. WANG Education Foundation Hong Kong+1 种基金 the National Postdoctoral Foundation of China and Key Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX3-SW-331)
文摘Dating data, altitude of Neolithic sites, climatic changes from sedimentary records and previous research results were collected and analyzed to detect possible connections between climatic changes and human activities in the Changjiang River Delta in the Neolithic Age. The results indicated that hydrological changes greatly impacted the human activities in the study region. Low-lying geomorphology made the floods and sea level changes become the important factors affecting human activities, especially the altitude change of human settlements. People usually moved to higher places during the periods characterized by high sea level and frequent floods to escape the negative influences from water body expansion, which resulted in cultural hiatus in certain profiles. However, some higher-altitude settlements were not the results of climatic changes but the results of social factors, such as religious ceremony and social status. Therefore, further research will be necessary for the degree and types of impacts of climatic changes on human activities in the study area at that time.
基金The Basic Scientific Research of Henan Academy of Sciences,No.20250601010National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41971016+2 种基金The Innovation Team Project of Henan Academy of Sciences,No.20230103Science and Technology Innovation Platform Cultivation and Promotion Project of Henan Academy of Sciences,No.241001037The Soft Science Project of Henan Province,No.252400410524。
文摘The orientations of ancient tombs have attracted increasing scholarly attention,as they offer valuable insights into early social structures,cultural traditions,and the relationship between humans and their environment.However,the application of machine learning algorithms to the study of tomb orientation remains relatively underexplored.In this study,we employed a Gaussian mixture model to conduct a systematic analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of Neolithic tomb orientations in Central China.We also examined the relationship between tomb orientation and both environmental factors and sociocultural dynamics.The findings suggest a deliberate and methodical approach to the planning and alignment of tombs during the Neolithic Age.Tomb orientations in each chronological phase displayed clear clustering patterns,reflecting a developmental trajectory from uniformity to diversity,and ultimately toward integration.While early angular measurement techniques appear to have emerged,they do not show evidence of sustained technical progression.Instead,different periods seem to have achieved similar levels of directional accuracy.The predominance of westward-facing tombs may be closely tied to both topographic features and the symbolic association with sunset.At the same time,cultural evolution and interregional exchange played essential roles in shaping the distinctive patterns of prehistoric tomb orientation.This research contributes not only to the understanding of ancient funerary practices but also demonstrates the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies in advancing archaeological analysis.
文摘Rochlitz porphyry tuff(“Rochlitzer Porphyrtuff”),a slightly welded ignimbrite from the North Saxon Volcanic Complex–a Permian supervolcano in East Germany–was used for millstones already in Neolithic age.The first use as building and sculpturing stone dates back to the early 12^(th) century,when quarries at the Rochlitz Mountain(“Rochlitzer Berg”)provided stone blocks for ashlars,sculptures and other purposes in the region between Leipzig and Chemnitz.In the first half of the 20th century,the material was used for buildings in many other German cities,like Berlin,Dresden,Frankfurt,Hamburg,and Munich.Moreover,it was applied in Kaliningrad(Russia),Vienna(Austria)as well as in some places in the Czech Republic,Poland and Denmark.The stone is presented with its petrographic and technical properties.Furthermore,the use in ancient and modern buildings,the quarrying techniques and heritage issues are discussed.The old quarry area of the Rochlitz Mountain is part of the German National Geopark“Porphyrland”,and two quarries are still producing stone for construction and restoration purposes as well as for sculptures.
基金Major Program of Natural Science Research at University of Anhui Province, No.ZD200908 National Sci ence and Technology Support Program, No.2010BAK67B02+1 种基金 National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41010104005 No.40971115This work is supported by the Tracing Origin Project of Chinese Civilization. We thank Dr. An Ran and Dr. Heim. Jordan in Purdue University, USA, for their kind help and valuable discussions.
文摘Based on the temporal-spatial distribution features of ancient settlement sites from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han dynasty in the Chaohu Lake Basin of Anhui Province, East China, using the methods of GIS combined with the reconstructed paleoen- vironment by the records of lake sediment since Holocene, the transmutation of ancient set- tlements with response to environmental changes in this area has been discussed. Studies show that the main feature of transmutation of ancient settlements from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han Dynasty was that the distribution of settlements in this area changed from high altitudes to low ones and kept approaching the Chaohu Lake with the passage of time. These could be the response to the climate change from warm-moist to a relatively warm-dry condition during the middle Holocene, leading to the lake level fluctuations. The large area of exposed land provided enough space for human activities. These indicate that the above changes in geomorphologic evolution and hydrology influenced by climate condi- tions affected the transmutation of ancient settlements greatly. The distribution pattern of settlement sites was that the number of sites in the west was more than in the east. This pattern may be related to the geomorphologic conditions such as frequent channel shifting of the Yangtze River as well as flood disasters during the Holocene optimum. Therefore, climate change was the inducement of the transmutation of ancient settlements in the Chaohu Lake Basin, which exerted great influence on the distribution, expansion and development of the ancient settlements.
基金This study was supported by the National key R&D Program of China(Grant 2018YFA0606402)the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Pan-Third Pole,Environment Study for a Green Silk Road(Pan-TPE)(grant no.XDA20040101)+2 种基金the second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(Grant No.SQ2019QZKK2201)the Improvement on Competitiveness in Hiring New Faculties Funding Scheme(4930900)Direct Grant for Research 2018/19(4052199)of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
文摘Social responses to climate change over human history have been widely discussed in academia over the last two decades. However, the transformation of the human–environment nexus crossing prehistoric and historic periods and the processes associated with it are not yet clearly understood. In this study, based on published works on radiocarbon dating, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and archaeological sites, together with a synthesis of historical documents and highresolution paleoclimatic records, we trace the extent to which human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor in northwestern China evolved in conjunction with climate change over the last 5,000 years. A total of 129 Neolithic, 126 Bronze Age, and 1,378 historical sites in the Hexi Corridor(n=1,633) were surveyed. Our results show that, in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age periods(~2800–100 BC), climate change contributed to the transformation of subsistence strategies and the subsequent changes in human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor. The warm-humid climate in ~2800–2000 BC promoted millet agriculture and helped the Majiayao, Banshan, and Machang Cultures to flourish. The cold-dry climate in ~2000–100 BC resulted in the divergence and transformation of subsistence strategies in the Xichengyi–Qijia–Siba and Shajing–Shanma Cultures and in a shift in their settlement patterns. However, in the historical period(121 BC–AD 1911), human settlement patterns were primarily determined by geopolitics related to the alternating rule of regimes and frequent wars, especially in the Sui–Tang dynasties. We also find that trans-Eurasian cultural exchange since ~2000 BC improved social resilience to climate change in the Hexi Corridor, mediating the human–environment nexus there. Our findings may provide insights into how human societies reacted to climate change in arid and semi-arid environments over the long term.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFC1523600)Major Project of National Social Science Foundation of China(21&ZD285).
文摘It is widely accepted that Holocene climatic and environmental changes had major impacts on socioeconomic development and the evolution of civilization.The eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau(TP)has been an important passageway for south‒north migration of agricultural groups since the late Neolithic.Prehistoric farmers began to occupy the northeastern Tibetan plateau(NETP)and the area of modern Yunnan Province(YNP),on the southeastern margin of the TP,from∼5200 BP and∼4600 BP,respectively.This occupation was potentially closely linked to climatic and environmental changes;however,the spatiotemporal pattern of moisture variations between these two regions,and its possible impact on human settlement and the migration of farming communities along the eastern margin of the TP during the late Neolithic and Bronze Age,are unclear.In the present study,well-dated sedimentary records with unambiguous indicators of humidity variations from the NETP and YNP were integrated,along with radiocarbon dates from human and animal bones and the remains of crop plants from archaeological sites in this region.The results indicate a long-term,out-of-phase relationship of moisture variations between the NETP and YNP during the middle to late Holocene.A mid-late Holocene increase in humidity on the NETP facilitated the development of agropastoral societies during the period of∼5200‒2200 BP.However,pronounced cooling from∼5000 BP forced the southward dispersal of millet farming groups along the eastern margin of the TP during the fifth millennium BP.Decreasing moisture in YNP promoted the expansion of an open landscape,which affected the development of agriculture during the period of∼4600‒2200 BP.Our results suggest that changes in moisture affected the development of prehistoric agriculture in the northeastern and southeastern marginal areas of the TP in different ways,implying that the development of prehistoric human society largely depended on the regional climatic conditions.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. XDA05130603 & XDA05130402)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41371217, 41072140 & 41301208)
文摘It is generally recognized that millet agriculture originated in northern China. However, the domestication process of foxtail millet(Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet(Panicum miliaceum) is still poorly understood. Based on statistical and morphological analyses of ancient millet starch grains, a tangible hypothesis has been proposed for the long-term domestication of green foxtail millet(S. viridis). However, the hypothesis requires validation by evidence from more regions and more archaeological finds. The West Liaohe region is one of the earliest regions of millet cultivation. Here, we report ancient starch grains recovered from 12 stone grinding tools from eight sites of the Xiaohexi culture(before 8.5 ka BP), Xinglongwa culture(8.2–7.4 ka BP), Zhaobaogou culture(7.0–6.4 ka BP), and Hongshan culture(6.5–5.0 ka BP) in the West Liaohe region of China. Our results indicate that the proportion of millet starch grains with wrinkled surfaces and rough edges, which are diagnostic of wild millet grasses, decreased from 13.0% to 3.4% from the Xiaohexi culture to the Hongshan culture. Millet starch grains measuring >16.8 ?m, a size class recorded only in domesticated foxtail millet, increased from 55.0% to 62.1%. These millet data imply that the process of millet domestication in the West Liaohe region began in the Xiaohexi period and continued up to the Hongshan period.
基金supported by the National Social Science Fund(Grant Nos.11CKG004 and 11AZD116)Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Grant No.ZR2012BQ025)Innovation Fund of Shandong University(Grant No.IFYT12038)
文摘The Beiqian site,located in Jimo city,Qingdao,went through three archaeological excavations,and a large number of human and animal bones in the Dawenkou culture and the Zhou Dynasty period were unearthed.By carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis,the diet of ancestors is expected to be recovered,and the domesticated plants and animals will be discussed.The investigated results showed that the food structure of ancestors in both periods included food crops,mainly C4 foods,and meat,mainly marine shellfish and livestock.For domestic pigs,they mainly eat C3 plants,and were affected by the lifestyle of ancestors.This study also showed that the diet of ancestors is the shellfish rather than marine fish despite the Beiqian site is located near the shoreline.We can conclude that the diet of ancestors in Dawenkou culture period included millet crops(C4plants),shellfish,marine food,and livestock,representing the lifestyle of farming,domestication,and fishing,supplemented by hunting.In the Zhou dynasty period the meat resource was enriched by domesticated animals and marine fisheries,and the living conditions were significantly improved.
基金the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology for supporting this studysupported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.T2192950)。
文摘This article examines the abundant marine mollusc,and fish remains at the Jingtoushan shell midden(8,300 to7,800 cal a BP)in Zhejiang Province,China,to investigate the fishing economy,community development,the palaeoenvironment,and their interactions among the prehistoric populations in the lower Yangtze River Basin and southeastern coastal China.It also attempts to explore the prosperity and decline of coastal settlements in China during the Neolithic Age and the potential reasons for their rise and fall,respectively.Based on the ecological and biological principles of marine animals,standard zooarchaeological methods and radiocarbon dating analysis are used for sampling,identification,measurement,and quantification.Results show that at least 11 mollusc taxa and 14 fish taxa can be identified from the Jingtoushan faunal assemblage.The ancient Jingtoushan residents possibly lived in a settlement close to the coast and engaged in inshore and offshore fishing,hunting,and gathering as their primary subsistence strategies,with low-level rice cultivation as a supplementary means of sustenance.Eventually,the changes in the coastal environment could be one of the reasons why the Jingtoushan residents abandoned their settlement.The research contributes to Chinese Neolithic archaeology with new evidence of the exploitation of marine resources around 8000 a BP in the eastern coastal areas and the relationship between Neolithic community development and environmental changes.