Yunnan in southwest China is a geographically and ethnically complex region at the intersection of southern China and Southeast Asia,and a focal point for human migrations.To clarify its maternal genetic history,we ge...Yunnan in southwest China is a geographically and ethnically complex region at the intersection of southern China and Southeast Asia,and a focal point for human migrations.To clarify its maternal genetic history,we generated 152 complete mitogenomes from 17 Yunnan archaeological sites.Our results reveal distinct genetic histories segregated by geographical regions.Maternal lineages of ancient populations from northwestern and northern Yunnan exhibit closer affinities with past and present-day populations from northern East Asia and Xizang,providing important genetic evidence for the migration and interaction of populations along the Tibetan-Yi corridor since the Neolithic.Between 5500 and 1800 years ago,central Yunnan populations maintained their internal genetic relationships,including a 7000-year-old basal lineage of the rare and widely dispersed haplogroup M61.At the Xingyi site,changes in mitochondrial DNA haplogroups occurred between the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age,with haplogroups shifting from those predominant in the Yellow River region to those predominant in coastal southern China.These results highlight the high diversity of Yunnan populations during the Neolithic to Bronze Age.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
The Holocene Megathermal is divided into early, middle and late periods, each having different impacts on the Neolithic cultures due to their different climate changing trends This study is based on a comparative anal...The Holocene Megathermal is divided into early, middle and late periods, each having different impacts on the Neolithic cultures due to their different climate changing trends This study is based on a comparative analysis of the environmental evolution information recorded in the Qinghai Lake, the western edge of the Loess Plateau and Zoige and the spatial distribution of Neolithic sites of the Gansu-Qinghai region. Results show that the early and middle periods towards warm and humid promoted the development of Neolithic cultures with agriculture as the main sector in the Gansu-Qinghai region, furthermore a heyday of Yangshao Culture prosperity emerged. The Holocene entered the late period after the cold climate event at 5.9 ka BP in the Gansu-Qinghai region. Later the climate began to turn cold. However, at the 5.8-4.2 ka BP a relatively stable warm and humid climate created the conditions for the development of Majiayao Culture of the Neolithic Age in this region, thus the distribution of its cultural heritage sites expanded towards high altitudes and high latitudes. From 4.2 ka BP onwards, the climate became cold and dry, which had a significant influence on the Neolithic cultures of the Gansu-Qinghai region, leading to a dramatic change in the cultural characters and spatial distribution of Qijia Culture around 4.2 ka BP. After a nearly 300 years of cold and dry period, the unified Neolithic farming culture completely collapsed. Afterwards an industrial division of animal husbandry and farming and regional multiple cultures formed, and ultimately led to the end of primitive society and the starting of a civilized society.展开更多
The Huaihe River basin of Anhui is not only a transitional zone of physical geography, but also a convergent area of many cultures in China. It is one of the sensitive ecotones to global changes and the birthplace of ...The Huaihe River basin of Anhui is not only a transitional zone of physical geography, but also a convergent area of many cultures in China. It is one of the sensitive ecotones to global changes and the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Using the field archaeological data and the sporo-pollens and the age data of the drilling cores, we analysed Neolithic cultural development and environmental evolution in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui. According to the combination of some research results in archaeology with environmental evolution research, this paper discusses the relationship between culture and environment in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui. The Neolithic cultural development was strongly impacted by the environmental change. The primitive culture （Shishanzi） was developed in the beginning of the Holocene Megathermal Period with distinct regional feature of the culture. From 6.5 kaBP to 5.5 kaBP, the climate changed warmer and wetter. The frequent occurrence of flood and waterlog due to such a climate regime and high sea level caused the earth＇s surface environment deteriorated in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui and the interruption of the Neolithic cultural development, hence a lack of archaeological sites. From 5.5 kaBP to 4.0 kaBP, the climate changed from wet to dry, the natural environment was propitious to human survival. Dawenkou Culture and Longshan Culture flourished in this period. The Neolithic cultural development, the number of the sites and their distribution characteristics of the sites in the study area differed apparently from those in Central China and Shandong Province.展开更多
Based on archaeological surveys of Neolithic cultural development and GIS spatial analysis,this study reproduced the main characteristics of temporal distribution and settlement selection of the sites from the Neolith...Based on archaeological surveys of Neolithic cultural development and GIS spatial analysis,this study reproduced the main characteristics of temporal distribution and settlement selection of the sites from the Neolithic Age in Anhui and identified a relationship between environmental evolution and human activity.The results show that altitude,slope direction,and slope gradient were consistent among the settlements at different stages of the Neolithic Age in Anhui,and the sites were mostly distributed in hilly and plain areas on southeast-or south-facing slopes of low gradients close to rivers.We determined that early Neolithic Age(9.0–7.0 ka BP) sites were scattered in small numbers and likely had little cultural exchange with communities of other provinces.The environmental characteristics of various regions in Anhui indicated that the climate was warm and humid with extensive water distribution.The sites of the mid Neolithic Age(7.0–5.0 ka BP) increased rapidly with wide distribution.They were mainly distributed in the plain area north of the Huaihe River and the southwestern areas of Anhui.In the mid Neolithic Age,the warm and humid climate gradually dried,and our ancestors slowly developed cultural exchanges.The largest number of sites existed during the late Neolithic Age(5.0–4.0 ka BP),and were distributed throughout the province.During this period,the overall climate was relatively dry,but humans could still obtain water and other resources through migration.The relatively benign climate facilitated cultural interaction and exchange,which increased during this time,and the Wanjiang culture matured.We also determined that as early civilization evolved,cultures in different regions responded differently to environmental changes.In humid subtropical regions,especially in low-lying plains and areas beside lakes,rivers,and coastal areas,the relatively dry climate in the late period of the middle Holocene,prefaced by a period of high humidity,was conducive to the development of human culture.The evidence from the Neolithic settlements in Anhui therefore reflects this subtropical man-land relationship between cultural development and environmental conditions.展开更多
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
Objective Large numbers of archeological relics from the Neolithic period are widely distributed in all tributaries of the Yellow River. The early humans tended to reside along the river valleys, and developed small b...Objective Large numbers of archeological relics from the Neolithic period are widely distributed in all tributaries of the Yellow River. The early humans tended to reside along the river valleys, and developed small but characteristically decentralized ancient valley culture. It is universally acknowledged that the agriculture exchange between China and western countries and the moderate展开更多
This investigation was concerned to stude abetal occlusion of Yuean's skull inNeolithic Age's. The material for this study drawn from the collection in the ChangzhouNatural Museum aud Shanghai Natural Museum ...This investigation was concerned to stude abetal occlusion of Yuean's skull inNeolithic Age's. The material for this study drawn from the collection in the ChangzhouNatural Museum aud Shanghai Natural Museum from 1972 to 1978. These skulls were de-termined with 14C by the Arcforolop Institute of the Academy of Social Scienceof China. The samples belong to hNeolitic Age (B.C 4750-3700) about 6000 years ago.The samples were tis individuals in all. Eighteen compete skull samples were selected inthe study . Observation of occlnd relationShips according to able's clasthetion wereed sudy of occlusal surface attrition were taken standard according to degree ofattrition in the 'Hand Book of Ha Measurements'. Some charaCteristics of dentalocclusion of Yuden's skull in Neolithic Age's were obtained:occlnd relationships ofYuden Neolithic Age's was edge to ease occlusion. Dental occlnd suUrface of NeolityicAge's exist excessive attrition which (dentinepoine or line was over ++ 66.6% of the to-tal) become SUrfaCe contact relation. These charaCteristics can further understand thatmankind's occlusion evolution and development.展开更多
Neolithic sites in Oran are rich in ceramic pottery.Microscopic and chemical analysis of products is closely linked to the subsequent development of the main analytical methods:optical microscopy and X-ray fluorescenc...Neolithic sites in Oran are rich in ceramic pottery.Microscopic and chemical analysis of products is closely linked to the subsequent development of the main analytical methods:optical microscopy and X-ray fluorescence.This study learns more about the mineralogical constituents of some caves pottery shards,ceramic typology of the Oran region,likely from the basic raw material(common clay,various types of regolith,silty loams,rarely marl),knowledge of the nature of intentionally added degreasers and characterized geological and archaeological context,also combined with the microscopic study of thin pottery blades met these requirements allowing us to showcase the progress of these ancient societies.展开更多
In this paper we will consider the results of the investigation of ceramic shards from four Neolithic sites located in the south-east of Albania using different analytical methods. The sites of Vashtemi, Podgori, Duna...In this paper we will consider the results of the investigation of ceramic shards from four Neolithic sites located in the south-east of Albania using different analytical methods. The sites of Vashtemi, Podgori, Dunavec and Maliq, situated at the plateau of Korca, represent the Neolithic culture at the different stages from Early Neolithic to Eneolithic. The application of EDXRF, micro-XRF, XRD and Optical Microscopy (OM) allowed us to collect data on the mineralogical and elemental composition of the ceramics and the materials used for the external decorations. The results indicate that coarse to medium coarse, non-calcareous clays were used for the ceramic manufacture in all the sites. Mineral inclusions rich in Si, Ca, K, and Fe were identified, some of which could have been intentionally added to the clays during the production process. The similarities of the elemental composition of the shards indicate that the ceramics in each site were prepared from different clay deposits that should have been close to each site. Minerals rich in Ca, Fe and Mn have been used respectively for the white, red and dark brown surface decorations, while bitumen has been applied after the firing in a black decoration.展开更多
The archaeological excavations of the Neolithic sites in Albania show that this area has been the center of the confluence of different cultures with various levels of development and social organization. This is refl...The archaeological excavations of the Neolithic sites in Albania show that this area has been the center of the confluence of different cultures with various levels of development and social organization. This is reflected in the pottery manufacturing, which during early Neolithic is classified in three major groups. The pottery from the Early Neolithic site at Kolsh, situated in north east, shows similarities with all the other cultures of central Balkans, the shards from the site Blaz in the north-west region show an Adriatic-Mediterraean character, while the south culture represented by Vashtemi and Podgorie sites appears to show cultural report with early Neolithic in the area of Thessaloniki. During the last years, the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics of the University of Tirana and the Institute of Archaeology of the Center of Albanian Studies have initiated a cooperative study of the ceramic finds which aims at a better characterization and classification of the ceramic finds. In this context Optical Microscopy (OM), EDXRF, micro-XRF and XRD were used for the elemental and structural characterization of ceramic samples. Some data on the fabric texture, inclusions, decoration materials and elemental composition of the shards from pottery samples belonging to the mentioned Early Neolithic sites in Albania will be presented.展开更多
The intensification of millet agriculture facilitated the development of ancient civilization in northern China.In Inner Mongolia and the Central Plains,the intensification of millet farming was relatively continuous....The intensification of millet agriculture facilitated the development of ancient civilization in northern China.In Inner Mongolia and the Central Plains,the intensification of millet farming was relatively continuous.However,prior evidence from the western Loess Plateau(WLP)has suggested an indistinct sequence of millet cultivation and a time lag between the initial intensification of millet agriculture and subsequent expansion of millet farming.We report on new stable isotopic data and radiocarbon dates from the Gedachuan site which challenge that interpretation.Our results indicate a gradual intensification and expansion of millet agriculture across the whole WLP.They attest to intensive broomcorn millet-based farming underpinning the emergence and development of the agrarian society in the WLP during the early-middle Yangshao period(∼6300-5500 BP),and to an intensification of the higher-yielding foxtail millet-based farming leading to the rapid growth of population in the WLP and expansion of millet cultivation after 5300 BP.展开更多
The Hehuang Valley,situated in the northeastern section of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,represents the upper reaches of the Yellow River(Fig.1A).It is a significant geographic region of origin for numerous Neolithic cult...The Hehuang Valley,situated in the northeastern section of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,represents the upper reaches of the Yellow River(Fig.1A).It is a significant geographic region of origin for numerous Neolithic cultures,including the Majiayao,Zongri,and Qijia cultures(Dong et al.,2013).展开更多
The East China coastal plain is one of the most important Neolithic culture areas in China, where rich archaeological sites including those producing the earliest domesticated rice are observed. It is also a place whe...The East China coastal plain is one of the most important Neolithic culture areas in China, where rich archaeological sites including those producing the earliest domesticated rice are observed. It is also a place where landscape has experienced dramatic evolution during the Holocene when both sea level and climate changed, such that it is an ideal place for studying human-environment interaction. This study investigated over 2000 sites of pre-history and Shang and Zhou Dynasties, with 655 of which being Neolithic ages, by using DEM and GIS methods. The results suggest that the spatial and temporal distribution of Neolithic sites has largely been controlled by landscape evolution(particularly changes in coastal line), which ultimately governed by sea level changes. During early Holocene, Neolithic sites sparsely distributed in the intermountain basins of east Zhejiang Province, far from the influence of ocean. Over the period of 9–7 ka, the coastal plain(including the shelf) was largely submerged,only the feet of low hills to the south and southwest of the study area, and islands protruding the estuary, cradled limited number of settlements with characteristic "maritime components". At about 7 ka, sea level rise decelerated prominently, while sediments supply in the drainage remained high value, the combination of which led to land formation and propagation. Vast space during this period facilitated the growth of settlements in both size and number. In the mean time, however, the coastal plain was vulnerable to extreme environmental events such as storms and flooding owning to its geomorphic nature, which exerted great influence on the rise and fall of Neolithic culture.展开更多
THE area of present-day Zhejiang Province is one of the cradles of Chinese civ i l i zation.Human activities in the region can be traced back one million years,and more than 100 Neolithic sites have been discovered he...THE area of present-day Zhejiang Province is one of the cradles of Chinese civ i l i zation.Human activities in the region can be traced back one million years,and more than 100 Neolithic sites have been discovered here.Throughout recorded history,Zhejiang has always been a key administrative unit of China.During the Southern Song Dynasty(1127-1279),its capital was established in the present-day provincial capital of Zhejiang,Hangzhou,and many of the ports in this region served as major stops along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.展开更多
It has been documented that human activities are causing the rapid loss of taxonomic, phylogenetic, genetic and functional diversity in soils. However, it remains unclear how modern intensive rice cultivation impacts ...It has been documented that human activities are causing the rapid loss of taxonomic, phylogenetic, genetic and functional diversity in soils. However, it remains unclear how modern intensive rice cultivation impacts the soil microbiome and its functionality. Here we examined the microbial composition and function differences between a buried Neolithic paddy soil and an adjacent, currently-cultivated paddy soil using high throughput metagenomics technologies. Our results showed that the currently cultivated soil contained about 10-fold more microbial biomass than the buried one. Analyses based on both 16S rRNA genes and functional gene array showed that the currently cultivated soil had significantly higher phylogenetic diversity, but less functional diversity than the buried Neolithic one. The community structures were significantly different between modern and ancient soils, with functional structure shifting towards accelerated organic carbon （C） degradation and nitrogen （N） transfor- mation in the modem soils. This study implies that, modern intensive rice cultivation has substantially altered soil microbial functional structure, leading to functional homogenization and the promotion of soil ecological functions related to the acceleration of nutrient cycling which is necessary for high crop yields.展开更多
Plant utilization is poorly known in South China as compared to North China.Fanchengdui, Zhuweicheng, Shinianshan, and Yinjiaping, which date back to 5-4 ka BP, are typical Neolithic sites located at the middle reache...Plant utilization is poorly known in South China as compared to North China.Fanchengdui, Zhuweicheng, Shinianshan, and Yinjiaping, which date back to 5-4 ka BP, are typical Neolithic sites located at the middle reaches of the Ganjiang River in Jiangxi Province.Due to the lack of systematic plant archaeological work, only rice straw and husk residues have been found in some archaeological sites in Jiangxi Province.Thirteen stone tools excavated from these sites were examined in this study.The results showed that among the plants utilized are Coix spp., Oryza spp., Vigna spp., plants from the tribe Triticeae, roots from some plants of Zingiberaceae, and other species of roots and tubers.More than 457 grains were retrieved from the 13 stone tools.The fact that Coix spp.were found in all stone tools suggests that these species were a major food source during the Neolithic era.In addition, 28 starch grains of Oryza spp.were found in 8 stone tools.The analysis also revealed that not only seeds of Gramineae but also those of Leguminosae, Zingiberaceae and other species of roots and tubers are among the plants utilized in the four Fanchengdui culture sites.These results indicate that ancient plant utilization was rather diverse, and this study elucidates the prehistoric agricultural systems of South China.展开更多
The relations between man and nature reflected by evolution of Neolithic production tools in the Three Gorges region of Yangtze River is discussed in this paper.Our results show that there is a good correlation betwee...The relations between man and nature reflected by evolution of Neolithic production tools in the Three Gorges region of Yangtze River is discussed in this paper.Our results show that there is a good correlation between the percentage vibration of cutting tool types and the environmental evolution indicated by the natural profile nearby.It is possible for ancestors from the Three Gorges region to learn the advantage of mortise and tenon in the early Neolithic Age because they used the stones as vital tools for processing woods.The hunting method in the early Neolithic is throwing,which was inherited in the mid-Neolithic Age when hunting with arrow and bow was developed.Fishing tools are found at the same period.Numbers of net sinkers and spinning wheels unearthed from the strata of the Western Zhou Dynasty from Zhongba Site reveal the fact of fishing with net,while a mass of fishbone pits indi- cate the powerful productivity brought by new production tools.Quantity of stone spades and stone hoes proves that cultivation agriculture by hoe is extremely attached importance by the ancestors in the Three Gorges region.Moreover,the developed agriculture in Daxi Culture at Zhongbao Island benefits from the landform,climate,traffic location,etc.Otherwise,the reason that the farming tools declined in the late Neolithic Age is related to the extreme flood during the early Xia Dynasty and the fishing hunting preference of some ancient settlements.This research shows that ancestors of the Three Gorges region during the Neolithic Age attached importance to fish hunting and cultivation, fought against the natural environment by production tools,constantly created and improved them, then comprehensively utilized them to evolve the relations between man and nature.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41925009)National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0203800)+2 种基金the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China(YSBR-019)Science and Technology Innovation Team of Shaanxi Province(2024RS-CXTD-74)Xiaohong Wu was supported by the Key National Social Science Foundation of China(No.16ZDA144).
文摘Yunnan in southwest China is a geographically and ethnically complex region at the intersection of southern China and Southeast Asia,and a focal point for human migrations.To clarify its maternal genetic history,we generated 152 complete mitogenomes from 17 Yunnan archaeological sites.Our results reveal distinct genetic histories segregated by geographical regions.Maternal lineages of ancient populations from northwestern and northern Yunnan exhibit closer affinities with past and present-day populations from northern East Asia and Xizang,providing important genetic evidence for the migration and interaction of populations along the Tibetan-Yi corridor since the Neolithic.Between 5500 and 1800 years ago,central Yunnan populations maintained their internal genetic relationships,including a 7000-year-old basal lineage of the rare and widely dispersed haplogroup M61.At the Xingyi site,changes in mitochondrial DNA haplogroups occurred between the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age,with haplogroups shifting from those predominant in the Yellow River region to those predominant in coastal southern China.These results highlight the high diversity of Yunnan populations during the Neolithic to Bronze Age.
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.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40771211 No.40261003 National Key Technology Research and Development Program, No.2007BAC03A11 The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Prof. Fang Xiuqi from Beijing Normal University for his constructive suggestions that greatly improved this manuscript, as well as Dr. Ran Min from Lanzhou University for providing some information, and Yang Yuhan, a master from Qinghai Normal University, for collecting the materials, in the prepa- ration of this paper.
文摘The Holocene Megathermal is divided into early, middle and late periods, each having different impacts on the Neolithic cultures due to their different climate changing trends This study is based on a comparative analysis of the environmental evolution information recorded in the Qinghai Lake, the western edge of the Loess Plateau and Zoige and the spatial distribution of Neolithic sites of the Gansu-Qinghai region. Results show that the early and middle periods towards warm and humid promoted the development of Neolithic cultures with agriculture as the main sector in the Gansu-Qinghai region, furthermore a heyday of Yangshao Culture prosperity emerged. The Holocene entered the late period after the cold climate event at 5.9 ka BP in the Gansu-Qinghai region. Later the climate began to turn cold. However, at the 5.8-4.2 ka BP a relatively stable warm and humid climate created the conditions for the development of Majiayao Culture of the Neolithic Age in this region, thus the distribution of its cultural heritage sites expanded towards high altitudes and high latitudes. From 4.2 ka BP onwards, the climate became cold and dry, which had a significant influence on the Neolithic cultures of the Gansu-Qinghai region, leading to a dramatic change in the cultural characters and spatial distribution of Qijia Culture around 4.2 ka BP. After a nearly 300 years of cold and dry period, the unified Neolithic farming culture completely collapsed. Afterwards an industrial division of animal husbandry and farming and regional multiple cultures formed, and ultimately led to the end of primitive society and the starting of a civilized society.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40271103 Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Provincial Education Department, No.2005KJ202/021
文摘The Huaihe River basin of Anhui is not only a transitional zone of physical geography, but also a convergent area of many cultures in China. It is one of the sensitive ecotones to global changes and the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Using the field archaeological data and the sporo-pollens and the age data of the drilling cores, we analysed Neolithic cultural development and environmental evolution in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui. According to the combination of some research results in archaeology with environmental evolution research, this paper discusses the relationship between culture and environment in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui. The Neolithic cultural development was strongly impacted by the environmental change. The primitive culture （Shishanzi） was developed in the beginning of the Holocene Megathermal Period with distinct regional feature of the culture. From 6.5 kaBP to 5.5 kaBP, the climate changed warmer and wetter. The frequent occurrence of flood and waterlog due to such a climate regime and high sea level caused the earth＇s surface environment deteriorated in the Huaihe River basin of Anhui and the interruption of the Neolithic cultural development, hence a lack of archaeological sites. From 5.5 kaBP to 4.0 kaBP, the climate changed from wet to dry, the natural environment was propitious to human survival. Dawenkou Culture and Longshan Culture flourished in this period. The Neolithic cultural development, the number of the sites and their distribution characteristics of the sites in the study area differed apparently from those in Central China and Shandong Province.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41771221No.41571179+3 种基金Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology,Institute of Earth Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.SKLLQG1851China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2018M632403National Key Technologies R&D Program,No.2016YFA0600501National Innovation Training Program for College Students,No.201810370207。
文摘Based on archaeological surveys of Neolithic cultural development and GIS spatial analysis,this study reproduced the main characteristics of temporal distribution and settlement selection of the sites from the Neolithic Age in Anhui and identified a relationship between environmental evolution and human activity.The results show that altitude,slope direction,and slope gradient were consistent among the settlements at different stages of the Neolithic Age in Anhui,and the sites were mostly distributed in hilly and plain areas on southeast-or south-facing slopes of low gradients close to rivers.We determined that early Neolithic Age(9.0–7.0 ka BP) sites were scattered in small numbers and likely had little cultural exchange with communities of other provinces.The environmental characteristics of various regions in Anhui indicated that the climate was warm and humid with extensive water distribution.The sites of the mid Neolithic Age(7.0–5.0 ka BP) increased rapidly with wide distribution.They were mainly distributed in the plain area north of the Huaihe River and the southwestern areas of Anhui.In the mid Neolithic Age,the warm and humid climate gradually dried,and our ancestors slowly developed cultural exchanges.The largest number of sites existed during the late Neolithic Age(5.0–4.0 ka BP),and were distributed throughout the province.During this period,the overall climate was relatively dry,but humans could still obtain water and other resources through migration.The relatively benign climate facilitated cultural interaction and exchange,which increased during this time,and the Wanjiang culture matured.We also determined that as early civilization evolved,cultures in different regions responded differently to environmental changes.In humid subtropical regions,especially in low-lying plains and areas beside lakes,rivers,and coastal areas,the relatively dry climate in the late period of the middle Holocene,prefaced by a period of high humidity,was conducive to the development of human culture.The evidence from the Neolithic settlements in Anhui therefore reflects this subtropical man-land relationship between cultural development and environmental conditions.
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financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (grant No. 41571177)
文摘Objective Large numbers of archeological relics from the Neolithic period are widely distributed in all tributaries of the Yellow River. The early humans tended to reside along the river valleys, and developed small but characteristically decentralized ancient valley culture. It is universally acknowledged that the agriculture exchange between China and western countries and the moderate
文摘This investigation was concerned to stude abetal occlusion of Yuean's skull inNeolithic Age's. The material for this study drawn from the collection in the ChangzhouNatural Museum aud Shanghai Natural Museum from 1972 to 1978. These skulls were de-termined with 14C by the Arcforolop Institute of the Academy of Social Scienceof China. The samples belong to hNeolitic Age (B.C 4750-3700) about 6000 years ago.The samples were tis individuals in all. Eighteen compete skull samples were selected inthe study . Observation of occlnd relationShips according to able's clasthetion wereed sudy of occlusal surface attrition were taken standard according to degree ofattrition in the 'Hand Book of Ha Measurements'. Some charaCteristics of dentalocclusion of Yuden's skull in Neolithic Age's were obtained:occlnd relationships ofYuden Neolithic Age's was edge to ease occlusion. Dental occlnd suUrface of NeolityicAge's exist excessive attrition which (dentinepoine or line was over ++ 66.6% of the to-tal) become SUrfaCe contact relation. These charaCteristics can further understand thatmankind's occlusion evolution and development.
文摘Neolithic sites in Oran are rich in ceramic pottery.Microscopic and chemical analysis of products is closely linked to the subsequent development of the main analytical methods:optical microscopy and X-ray fluorescence.This study learns more about the mineralogical constituents of some caves pottery shards,ceramic typology of the Oran region,likely from the basic raw material(common clay,various types of regolith,silty loams,rarely marl),knowledge of the nature of intentionally added degreasers and characterized geological and archaeological context,also combined with the microscopic study of thin pottery blades met these requirements allowing us to showcase the progress of these ancient societies.
文摘In this paper we will consider the results of the investigation of ceramic shards from four Neolithic sites located in the south-east of Albania using different analytical methods. The sites of Vashtemi, Podgori, Dunavec and Maliq, situated at the plateau of Korca, represent the Neolithic culture at the different stages from Early Neolithic to Eneolithic. The application of EDXRF, micro-XRF, XRD and Optical Microscopy (OM) allowed us to collect data on the mineralogical and elemental composition of the ceramics and the materials used for the external decorations. The results indicate that coarse to medium coarse, non-calcareous clays were used for the ceramic manufacture in all the sites. Mineral inclusions rich in Si, Ca, K, and Fe were identified, some of which could have been intentionally added to the clays during the production process. The similarities of the elemental composition of the shards indicate that the ceramics in each site were prepared from different clay deposits that should have been close to each site. Minerals rich in Ca, Fe and Mn have been used respectively for the white, red and dark brown surface decorations, while bitumen has been applied after the firing in a black decoration.
文摘The archaeological excavations of the Neolithic sites in Albania show that this area has been the center of the confluence of different cultures with various levels of development and social organization. This is reflected in the pottery manufacturing, which during early Neolithic is classified in three major groups. The pottery from the Early Neolithic site at Kolsh, situated in north east, shows similarities with all the other cultures of central Balkans, the shards from the site Blaz in the north-west region show an Adriatic-Mediterraean character, while the south culture represented by Vashtemi and Podgorie sites appears to show cultural report with early Neolithic in the area of Thessaloniki. During the last years, the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics of the University of Tirana and the Institute of Archaeology of the Center of Albanian Studies have initiated a cooperative study of the ceramic finds which aims at a better characterization and classification of the ceramic finds. In this context Optical Microscopy (OM), EDXRF, micro-XRF and XRD were used for the elemental and structural characterization of ceramic samples. Some data on the fabric texture, inclusions, decoration materials and elemental composition of the shards from pottery samples belonging to the mentioned Early Neolithic sites in Albania will be presented.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41825001)the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0606402)+2 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(lzujbky-2021-77 and lzujbky-2021-ct03)National Social Science Fund of China(21CKG011)National Natural Science Foundation of China(42001073)and Academician and Expert Workstation of Yunnan Province(202305AF150183).
文摘The intensification of millet agriculture facilitated the development of ancient civilization in northern China.In Inner Mongolia and the Central Plains,the intensification of millet farming was relatively continuous.However,prior evidence from the western Loess Plateau(WLP)has suggested an indistinct sequence of millet cultivation and a time lag between the initial intensification of millet agriculture and subsequent expansion of millet farming.We report on new stable isotopic data and radiocarbon dates from the Gedachuan site which challenge that interpretation.Our results indicate a gradual intensification and expansion of millet agriculture across the whole WLP.They attest to intensive broomcorn millet-based farming underpinning the emergence and development of the agrarian society in the WLP during the early-middle Yangshao period(∼6300-5500 BP),and to an intensification of the higher-yielding foxtail millet-based farming leading to the rapid growth of population in the WLP and expansion of millet cultivation after 5300 BP.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42372017 and 42072018)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2022CXTD24)。
文摘The Hehuang Valley,situated in the northeastern section of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,represents the upper reaches of the Yellow River(Fig.1A).It is a significant geographic region of origin for numerous Neolithic cultures,including the Majiayao,Zongri,and Qijia cultures(Dong et al.,2013).
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB953803)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41672344)the CAS Strategic Priority Research Program (Grant No. XDB03020301)
文摘The East China coastal plain is one of the most important Neolithic culture areas in China, where rich archaeological sites including those producing the earliest domesticated rice are observed. It is also a place where landscape has experienced dramatic evolution during the Holocene when both sea level and climate changed, such that it is an ideal place for studying human-environment interaction. This study investigated over 2000 sites of pre-history and Shang and Zhou Dynasties, with 655 of which being Neolithic ages, by using DEM and GIS methods. The results suggest that the spatial and temporal distribution of Neolithic sites has largely been controlled by landscape evolution(particularly changes in coastal line), which ultimately governed by sea level changes. During early Holocene, Neolithic sites sparsely distributed in the intermountain basins of east Zhejiang Province, far from the influence of ocean. Over the period of 9–7 ka, the coastal plain(including the shelf) was largely submerged,only the feet of low hills to the south and southwest of the study area, and islands protruding the estuary, cradled limited number of settlements with characteristic "maritime components". At about 7 ka, sea level rise decelerated prominently, while sediments supply in the drainage remained high value, the combination of which led to land formation and propagation. Vast space during this period facilitated the growth of settlements in both size and number. In the mean time, however, the coastal plain was vulnerable to extreme environmental events such as storms and flooding owning to its geomorphic nature, which exerted great influence on the rise and fall of Neolithic culture.
文摘THE area of present-day Zhejiang Province is one of the cradles of Chinese civ i l i zation.Human activities in the region can be traced back one million years,and more than 100 Neolithic sites have been discovered here.Throughout recorded history,Zhejiang has always been a key administrative unit of China.During the Southern Song Dynasty(1127-1279),its capital was established in the present-day provincial capital of Zhejiang,Hangzhou,and many of the ports in this region served as major stops along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB15020302, XDB15020402)National Natural Science Foundation of China (41090282)
文摘It has been documented that human activities are causing the rapid loss of taxonomic, phylogenetic, genetic and functional diversity in soils. However, it remains unclear how modern intensive rice cultivation impacts the soil microbiome and its functionality. Here we examined the microbial composition and function differences between a buried Neolithic paddy soil and an adjacent, currently-cultivated paddy soil using high throughput metagenomics technologies. Our results showed that the currently cultivated soil contained about 10-fold more microbial biomass than the buried one. Analyses based on both 16S rRNA genes and functional gene array showed that the currently cultivated soil had significantly higher phylogenetic diversity, but less functional diversity than the buried Neolithic one. The community structures were significantly different between modern and ancient soils, with functional structure shifting towards accelerated organic carbon （C） degradation and nitrogen （N） transfor- mation in the modem soils. This study implies that, modern intensive rice cultivation has substantially altered soil microbial functional structure, leading to functional homogenization and the promotion of soil ecological functions related to the acceleration of nutrient cycling which is necessary for high crop yields.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41072140)National Plan for Global Change Research(Grant No.2010CB950101)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant Nos.XDA05130603,XDA05130402 and XDA05080100)
文摘Plant utilization is poorly known in South China as compared to North China.Fanchengdui, Zhuweicheng, Shinianshan, and Yinjiaping, which date back to 5-4 ka BP, are typical Neolithic sites located at the middle reaches of the Ganjiang River in Jiangxi Province.Due to the lack of systematic plant archaeological work, only rice straw and husk residues have been found in some archaeological sites in Jiangxi Province.Thirteen stone tools excavated from these sites were examined in this study.The results showed that among the plants utilized are Coix spp., Oryza spp., Vigna spp., plants from the tribe Triticeae, roots from some plants of Zingiberaceae, and other species of roots and tubers.More than 457 grains were retrieved from the 13 stone tools.The fact that Coix spp.were found in all stone tools suggests that these species were a major food source during the Neolithic era.In addition, 28 starch grains of Oryza spp.were found in 8 stone tools.The analysis also revealed that not only seeds of Gramineae but also those of Leguminosae, Zingiberaceae and other species of roots and tubers are among the plants utilized in the four Fanchengdui culture sites.These results indicate that ancient plant utilization was rather diverse, and this study elucidates the prehistoric agricultural systems of South China.
基金Supported by the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.90411015)the University Doctoral Foundation(Grant No.20050284011)+2 种基金the Foundation of Important Basic Research at Nanjing University(Grant No.0209005206)Open Foundation of the State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology from the Institute of Earth Environment,CAS(Grant No.SKLLQG0503)the Physical Geography of"985"Items and the Test Foundation of Modern Analyses Center of Nanjing University(Grant No.0209001309)
文摘The relations between man and nature reflected by evolution of Neolithic production tools in the Three Gorges region of Yangtze River is discussed in this paper.Our results show that there is a good correlation between the percentage vibration of cutting tool types and the environmental evolution indicated by the natural profile nearby.It is possible for ancestors from the Three Gorges region to learn the advantage of mortise and tenon in the early Neolithic Age because they used the stones as vital tools for processing woods.The hunting method in the early Neolithic is throwing,which was inherited in the mid-Neolithic Age when hunting with arrow and bow was developed.Fishing tools are found at the same period.Numbers of net sinkers and spinning wheels unearthed from the strata of the Western Zhou Dynasty from Zhongba Site reveal the fact of fishing with net,while a mass of fishbone pits indi- cate the powerful productivity brought by new production tools.Quantity of stone spades and stone hoes proves that cultivation agriculture by hoe is extremely attached importance by the ancestors in the Three Gorges region.Moreover,the developed agriculture in Daxi Culture at Zhongbao Island benefits from the landform,climate,traffic location,etc.Otherwise,the reason that the farming tools declined in the late Neolithic Age is related to the extreme flood during the early Xia Dynasty and the fishing hunting preference of some ancient settlements.This research shows that ancestors of the Three Gorges region during the Neolithic Age attached importance to fish hunting and cultivation, fought against the natural environment by production tools,constantly created and improved them, then comprehensively utilized them to evolve the relations between man and nature.
