Lithic miniaturization is a key adaptive and technological feature of human populations and one of the key cultural hallmarks in the Late Pleistocene of Eastern Asia.In northern China this form of stone tool technolog...Lithic miniaturization is a key adaptive and technological feature of human populations and one of the key cultural hallmarks in the Late Pleistocene of Eastern Asia.In northern China this form of stone tool technology is well represented,including by microblade technology.Lithic miniaturization has been identified in South China,though this technological feature has received little research attention in comparison to the north.Here,we examine three miniaturized lithic assemblages in South China,ranging from the terminal Pleistocene to middle Holocene.To examine technological variations in lithic miniaturization,the three assemblages were subject to comparative quantitative analyses,including principal component analysis(PCA),K-means clustering and the Zingg system.The three sites were found to exhibit varied temporal and geographic patterns of lithic miniaturization across South China,potentially related to fluctuating climatic conditions and changes in population dynamics since the Late Pleistocene.展开更多
The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China&#...The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China's significance as a nexus for hominin dispersal and handaxe technology diffusion,quantitative reconstructions of paleoenvironments linked to archaeological records remain scarce.The Sandinggai site(96.6-13.3 ka BP)in central South China,with its well-preserved stratigraphy and abundant lithic artefacts,is notable for providing valuable insights.In this study,quantitative reconstruction of the vegetation succession and climate change sequences at the site was conducted using palynological and isotopic data.The results indicated a shift from a warm-temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest to a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest,with the climate transitioning from warm and humid to cooler and drier conditions.During the early phase,an increase in lithic production suggested favorable conditions for hominin survival.In the later phase,decreased lithic production and the replacement of large handaxe tools by smaller flake tools,indicated that hominins adapted to the cooler,drier climate and more open landscapes through lithic miniaturization.These findings highlight the environment-driven adaptation of lithic technology and hominin behavior,thereby shedding light on human survival adaptation strategies.展开更多
Six soils located within the Polish Carpathians,developed on calcium carbonate–rich sedimentary parent materials and representing various reference groups,were investigated in order to detect the lithic discontinuity...Six soils located within the Polish Carpathians,developed on calcium carbonate–rich sedimentary parent materials and representing various reference groups,were investigated in order to detect the lithic discontinuity.We propose using a multidirectional approach to assess the lithic discontinuity in these soils,one that includes grain size distribution,geochemical composition,heavy mineral content and micromorphology,supported by a traditional soil survey.A further aim of this process was to identify the possible admixture of allochthonous material of aeolian origin.The studied soils presented lithic discontinuities mostly at the contact of underlying calcium carbonate–rich coarsegrained slope deposits with the overlaying colluvium layer having a lower content of rock fragments.The significant changes in grain size distribution,especially in the silt and sand content,as well as high Uniformity Values and partially,high Lithological Discontinuity Index values,confirmed the occurrence of a lithic discontinuity in all studied soils.High heterogeneity in the soil profiles was also confirmed by the distribution of the major oxides;however,their distribution did not clearly indicate the lithic discontinuity.The most visible distinctions were noted from CaO content,which resulted from the deposition of carbonate-free materials(aeolian silts)and their mixing with the calcium carbonate–rich parent material.Furthermore,the analysis of heavy mineral content confirmed the allochthonous origin of the upper(and in some cases also the middle)parts of all profiles,which was manifested by the presence of highly weathering-resistant minerals such as zircon,epidote and various types of garnets.The micromorphological features of some of the studied soils showed distinctiveness within the soil profile,manifested by changes in b-fabric pattern,the occurrence and distribution of secondary carbonate and the coarse and fine coarse and fine ratio.Based on the high content of silt within the upper and middle parts of the soils,the content of Hf and Zr,as well as the higher content of weathering-resistant minerals,admixture of aeolian silt could be considered in some of the studied soils,yet with weak character.However,the dominance of minerals typical for metamorphic and igneous rocks suggested that the supply of aeolian silt was associated with loess covers rather than local sedimentary material.展开更多
The Initial Upper Paleolithic(IUP)is a chrono-cultural phase corresponding with the onset of systematic production of pointed blades in various regions in Eurasia.This phenomenon is often conceived to correlate with t...The Initial Upper Paleolithic(IUP)is a chrono-cultural phase corresponding with the onset of systematic production of pointed blades in various regions in Eurasia.This phenomenon is often conceived to correlate with the MIS 3 modern human expansion.Originally defined after the site Boker Tachtit in the Negev Desert,Israel,the Levantine IUP is composed of two consecutive superimposed lithic industries.The lower,named Emiran,is characterized with bidirectional blade technology,whereas the upper industry with unidirectional blades.Until recently the chronology of Boker Tachtit was insecure but new radiometric ages have shown that the Emiran is contemporaneous with the local Late Mousterian,thus supporting the assumption of this industry being imported.Similar technological features and chronological proximities between Boker Tachtit and assemblages from the Nile Valley and southern Arabia suggest the early Boker Tachtit inhabitants may have originated from these regions.The Emiran industry developed in Boker Tachtit into a later variant,the unidirectional industry,but it also expanded northward to central Europe and north-central Asia.The later variant acted in a similar manner as it developed locally into the early Ahmarian techno-complex but also expanded into the northern Levant and the Balkans.It is proposed the IUP phase featured at least two dispersal events.The first is the expansion from the Nile Valley/Arabia to the Levant from where it expanded rapidly to central Europe and north-central Asia.The second dispersal occurred slightly later and began in the southern Levant from where it spread to the northern Levant and the Balkans.展开更多
Boswellia sacra from Burseraceae family, grows is limited and the land unsuitable for traditional agriculture wild in dry hot lands of southern part of Oman （Dhofar）, where the water purpose. Boswellia sacra is a mu...Boswellia sacra from Burseraceae family, grows is limited and the land unsuitable for traditional agriculture wild in dry hot lands of southern part of Oman （Dhofar）, where the water purpose. Boswellia sacra is a multipurpose tree, but more famous for its high value olibanum. The olibanum is used for ritual and in church ceremonies worldwide, traditional medicines, pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics, chewing, painting, food flavouring. In addition to this, the species has other numerous environmental, historical, and socio-economical benefits. This study is based on literature reviews, and on the interview local people, as well as on personal field experiences. The objective is to introduce the importance of the species and to study the native habitats, the distribution, and the harvesting techniques. The soil is carbonitic, isohypertherrnic, lithic torriothent, poor in mineral elements. The olibanum produces when the tree tapped by making a thin vertical slicing into the tree trunk. Initial size should be about 18 cm2 （3 × 6 cm） and 1-2 mm in depth and the diameter tree trunk should be not less than 10 cm. Tree tapping should be stopped 2-3 weeks before the rain season. The method of tree tapping and olibanum collection need to be revised for long-term tree protection.展开更多
Archaeologists call the long period between the appearance of human beings and the emergence of agriculture the Old Stone Age.The Paleolithic period accounts for more than 99.9 percent of the total length of human his...Archaeologists call the long period between the appearance of human beings and the emergence of agriculture the Old Stone Age.The Paleolithic period accounts for more than 99.9 percent of the total length of human history.展开更多
Over the past 15 years,the Paleoanthropological and Paleolithic team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology(IVPP),Chinese Academy of Sciences,has made significant progress in understanding...Over the past 15 years,the Paleoanthropological and Paleolithic team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology(IVPP),Chinese Academy of Sciences,has made significant progress in understanding modern human origins and evolution through extensive fieldwork,fossil and artifact discoveries,and cutting-edge ancient molecular analysis.The new fossil findings from Hualongdong,Xuchang,the first report on Harbin,and the reevaluations of previously found fossils like Xujiayao revealed high population diversity in East Asia during the late Middle Pleistocene,implying multiple evolutionary lineages linked to modern humans,Neanderthals,or Denisovans.Different species names were proposed for these unique fossils.Discoveries from Zhiren Cave and Fuyan Cave refreshed our knowledge of modern human emergence in China,sparking debates between the“Recent African Origin”and“Multiregional Evolution”hypothesis.Additionally,new archaeological evidence from Nwya Devu and Xiamabei highlighted human adaptations to extreme climates and technological innovations.Genomic studies further revealed complex patterns of modern human dispersal,admixture,and adaptation in China,especially in the past 40,000 years.The first mitochondrial DNA of Denisovan outside Denisova Cave was successfully extracted from the sediments on the Plateau,suggesting the long-term occupation of this population in this area.展开更多
Hinterland intermountain basins and northern and southern piedmonts of the Qinling Mountains accumulated a large amount of loess during the Pleistocene. The loess strata not only record local paleogeographic and paleo...Hinterland intermountain basins and northern and southern piedmonts of the Qinling Mountains accumulated a large amount of loess during the Pleistocene. The loess strata not only record local paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental changes, but also contain rich hominin fossils and Paleolithic remains. In the northern piedmont of the Qinling Mountains and the lower valley of the South Luohe River, the loess strata have multi loess-paleosol sequences with aeolian loess continuously accumulating during glacial and interglacial cycles. In contrast to the northern piedmont, loess stratigraphy in the hinterland intermountain basins of the Qinling Mountains is relatively thin and contains finer loess particles. In this "mini" type of loess stratum, the density of Paleolithic remain generally is higher than the Loess Plateau in the north of the Qinling Mountains. Based on stratigraphic, chronological, and lithic artifacts analysis in recent years, it appears that the regional lithic assemblage belongs to the Oldowan(Mode I) lithic industry, and it is dominated by choppers, cores, flakes, and simple retouched flake tools from 1.15 to 0.6 Ma. Paleolithic open-air sites such as Gongwangling and Chenjiawo in the Lantian area, Shangbaichuan and Liuwan in the Luonan Basin, Qiaojiayao in the Lushi Basin, Longgangsi and Yaochangwan in the Hanzhong Basin, Guanmiao in the Ankang Basin, and the Yunxian Man Site in the Yunxian Basin are representative sites in the region; from 400 to 250 ka, the Longyadong cave site in the Luonan Basin inherited the characteristics of the local Mode I lithic industry, the stone assemblage is made up of cores, flakes, and small retouched flake tools, such as scrapers, points, and burins; during the period from 250 to 50 ka, bi-facially retouched Acheulean tools(Model II), such as hand-axes, picks, and cleavers, were commonly found in the Qinling Mountains region. The emergence of a large number of Model II artifacts indicates that local lithic industries went through a major transition process. Zhanghuokou, Guoyuan, and Huaishuping sites in the Luonan Basin, Diaozhai, Ganyu, Laochihe, and Xiehu sites in the Lantian area, Hejialiang site in the Hanzhong Basin are representative sites in this period; to the turn of the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, it may also exist a small flake-retouched tools lithic industry in the piedmonts of the northern and southern sides of the Qinling Mountains. The lithic assemblages in different stages of the Qinling Mountains region reflect the hominin behavioral changes and the development of lithic technology during the Pleistocene.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42177424,No.42488201Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.2020074National Key Research and Development Projects,No.2022YFF0801502。
文摘Lithic miniaturization is a key adaptive and technological feature of human populations and one of the key cultural hallmarks in the Late Pleistocene of Eastern Asia.In northern China this form of stone tool technology is well represented,including by microblade technology.Lithic miniaturization has been identified in South China,though this technological feature has received little research attention in comparison to the north.Here,we examine three miniaturized lithic assemblages in South China,ranging from the terminal Pleistocene to middle Holocene.To examine technological variations in lithic miniaturization,the three assemblages were subject to comparative quantitative analyses,including principal component analysis(PCA),K-means clustering and the Zingg system.The three sites were found to exhibit varied temporal and geographic patterns of lithic miniaturization across South China,potentially related to fluctuating climatic conditions and changes in population dynamics since the Late Pleistocene.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42471185,No.T2192952National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFF0801502。
文摘The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China's significance as a nexus for hominin dispersal and handaxe technology diffusion,quantitative reconstructions of paleoenvironments linked to archaeological records remain scarce.The Sandinggai site(96.6-13.3 ka BP)in central South China,with its well-preserved stratigraphy and abundant lithic artefacts,is notable for providing valuable insights.In this study,quantitative reconstruction of the vegetation succession and climate change sequences at the site was conducted using palynological and isotopic data.The results indicated a shift from a warm-temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest to a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest,with the climate transitioning from warm and humid to cooler and drier conditions.During the early phase,an increase in lithic production suggested favorable conditions for hominin survival.In the later phase,decreased lithic production and the replacement of large handaxe tools by smaller flake tools,indicated that hominins adapted to the cooler,drier climate and more open landscapes through lithic miniaturization.These findings highlight the environment-driven adaptation of lithic technology and hominin behavior,thereby shedding light on human survival adaptation strategies.
基金financed by the National Science Centre(Poland)(PRELUDIUM 14 project no.2017/27/N/ST10/00342)Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland,No.BM–4112/17 and BM–2120/18
文摘Six soils located within the Polish Carpathians,developed on calcium carbonate–rich sedimentary parent materials and representing various reference groups,were investigated in order to detect the lithic discontinuity.We propose using a multidirectional approach to assess the lithic discontinuity in these soils,one that includes grain size distribution,geochemical composition,heavy mineral content and micromorphology,supported by a traditional soil survey.A further aim of this process was to identify the possible admixture of allochthonous material of aeolian origin.The studied soils presented lithic discontinuities mostly at the contact of underlying calcium carbonate–rich coarsegrained slope deposits with the overlaying colluvium layer having a lower content of rock fragments.The significant changes in grain size distribution,especially in the silt and sand content,as well as high Uniformity Values and partially,high Lithological Discontinuity Index values,confirmed the occurrence of a lithic discontinuity in all studied soils.High heterogeneity in the soil profiles was also confirmed by the distribution of the major oxides;however,their distribution did not clearly indicate the lithic discontinuity.The most visible distinctions were noted from CaO content,which resulted from the deposition of carbonate-free materials(aeolian silts)and their mixing with the calcium carbonate–rich parent material.Furthermore,the analysis of heavy mineral content confirmed the allochthonous origin of the upper(and in some cases also the middle)parts of all profiles,which was manifested by the presence of highly weathering-resistant minerals such as zircon,epidote and various types of garnets.The micromorphological features of some of the studied soils showed distinctiveness within the soil profile,manifested by changes in b-fabric pattern,the occurrence and distribution of secondary carbonate and the coarse and fine coarse and fine ratio.Based on the high content of silt within the upper and middle parts of the soils,the content of Hf and Zr,as well as the higher content of weathering-resistant minerals,admixture of aeolian silt could be considered in some of the studied soils,yet with weak character.However,the dominance of minerals typical for metamorphic and igneous rocks suggested that the supply of aeolian silt was associated with loess covers rather than local sedimentary material.
文摘The Initial Upper Paleolithic(IUP)is a chrono-cultural phase corresponding with the onset of systematic production of pointed blades in various regions in Eurasia.This phenomenon is often conceived to correlate with the MIS 3 modern human expansion.Originally defined after the site Boker Tachtit in the Negev Desert,Israel,the Levantine IUP is composed of two consecutive superimposed lithic industries.The lower,named Emiran,is characterized with bidirectional blade technology,whereas the upper industry with unidirectional blades.Until recently the chronology of Boker Tachtit was insecure but new radiometric ages have shown that the Emiran is contemporaneous with the local Late Mousterian,thus supporting the assumption of this industry being imported.Similar technological features and chronological proximities between Boker Tachtit and assemblages from the Nile Valley and southern Arabia suggest the early Boker Tachtit inhabitants may have originated from these regions.The Emiran industry developed in Boker Tachtit into a later variant,the unidirectional industry,but it also expanded northward to central Europe and north-central Asia.The later variant acted in a similar manner as it developed locally into the early Ahmarian techno-complex but also expanded into the northern Levant and the Balkans.It is proposed the IUP phase featured at least two dispersal events.The first is the expansion from the Nile Valley/Arabia to the Levant from where it expanded rapidly to central Europe and north-central Asia.The second dispersal occurred slightly later and began in the southern Levant from where it spread to the northern Levant and the Balkans.
文摘Boswellia sacra from Burseraceae family, grows is limited and the land unsuitable for traditional agriculture wild in dry hot lands of southern part of Oman （Dhofar）, where the water purpose. Boswellia sacra is a multipurpose tree, but more famous for its high value olibanum. The olibanum is used for ritual and in church ceremonies worldwide, traditional medicines, pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics, chewing, painting, food flavouring. In addition to this, the species has other numerous environmental, historical, and socio-economical benefits. This study is based on literature reviews, and on the interview local people, as well as on personal field experiences. The objective is to introduce the importance of the species and to study the native habitats, the distribution, and the harvesting techniques. The soil is carbonitic, isohypertherrnic, lithic torriothent, poor in mineral elements. The olibanum produces when the tree tapped by making a thin vertical slicing into the tree trunk. Initial size should be about 18 cm2 （3 × 6 cm） and 1-2 mm in depth and the diameter tree trunk should be not less than 10 cm. Tree tapping should be stopped 2-3 weeks before the rain season. The method of tree tapping and olibanum collection need to be revised for long-term tree protection.
文摘Archaeologists call the long period between the appearance of human beings and the emergence of agriculture the Old Stone Age.The Paleolithic period accounts for more than 99.9 percent of the total length of human history.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41925009)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(YSBR-019)+1 种基金the National Social Science Foundation of China(Grant No.23&ZD268)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42072033).
文摘Over the past 15 years,the Paleoanthropological and Paleolithic team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology(IVPP),Chinese Academy of Sciences,has made significant progress in understanding modern human origins and evolution through extensive fieldwork,fossil and artifact discoveries,and cutting-edge ancient molecular analysis.The new fossil findings from Hualongdong,Xuchang,the first report on Harbin,and the reevaluations of previously found fossils like Xujiayao revealed high population diversity in East Asia during the late Middle Pleistocene,implying multiple evolutionary lineages linked to modern humans,Neanderthals,or Denisovans.Different species names were proposed for these unique fossils.Discoveries from Zhiren Cave and Fuyan Cave refreshed our knowledge of modern human emergence in China,sparking debates between the“Recent African Origin”and“Multiregional Evolution”hypothesis.Additionally,new archaeological evidence from Nwya Devu and Xiamabei highlighted human adaptations to extreme climates and technological innovations.Genomic studies further revealed complex patterns of modern human dispersal,admixture,and adaptation in China,especially in the past 40,000 years.The first mitochondrial DNA of Denisovan outside Denisova Cave was successfully extracted from the sediments on the Plateau,suggesting the long-term occupation of this population in this area.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA05130201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41472026 & 41472138)the One Hundred Talent Person Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-BR-24)
文摘Hinterland intermountain basins and northern and southern piedmonts of the Qinling Mountains accumulated a large amount of loess during the Pleistocene. The loess strata not only record local paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental changes, but also contain rich hominin fossils and Paleolithic remains. In the northern piedmont of the Qinling Mountains and the lower valley of the South Luohe River, the loess strata have multi loess-paleosol sequences with aeolian loess continuously accumulating during glacial and interglacial cycles. In contrast to the northern piedmont, loess stratigraphy in the hinterland intermountain basins of the Qinling Mountains is relatively thin and contains finer loess particles. In this "mini" type of loess stratum, the density of Paleolithic remain generally is higher than the Loess Plateau in the north of the Qinling Mountains. Based on stratigraphic, chronological, and lithic artifacts analysis in recent years, it appears that the regional lithic assemblage belongs to the Oldowan(Mode I) lithic industry, and it is dominated by choppers, cores, flakes, and simple retouched flake tools from 1.15 to 0.6 Ma. Paleolithic open-air sites such as Gongwangling and Chenjiawo in the Lantian area, Shangbaichuan and Liuwan in the Luonan Basin, Qiaojiayao in the Lushi Basin, Longgangsi and Yaochangwan in the Hanzhong Basin, Guanmiao in the Ankang Basin, and the Yunxian Man Site in the Yunxian Basin are representative sites in the region; from 400 to 250 ka, the Longyadong cave site in the Luonan Basin inherited the characteristics of the local Mode I lithic industry, the stone assemblage is made up of cores, flakes, and small retouched flake tools, such as scrapers, points, and burins; during the period from 250 to 50 ka, bi-facially retouched Acheulean tools(Model II), such as hand-axes, picks, and cleavers, were commonly found in the Qinling Mountains region. The emergence of a large number of Model II artifacts indicates that local lithic industries went through a major transition process. Zhanghuokou, Guoyuan, and Huaishuping sites in the Luonan Basin, Diaozhai, Ganyu, Laochihe, and Xiehu sites in the Lantian area, Hejialiang site in the Hanzhong Basin are representative sites in this period; to the turn of the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, it may also exist a small flake-retouched tools lithic industry in the piedmonts of the northern and southern sides of the Qinling Mountains. The lithic assemblages in different stages of the Qinling Mountains region reflect the hominin behavioral changes and the development of lithic technology during the Pleistocene.
