Spatial and temporal variations in prehistoric human settlement and their influencing factors on the south bank of the Xar Moron River, Northeastern China
Xin JIA1(), Shuangwen YI1, Yonggang SUN2, Shuangye WU1,3, Harry F. LEE4, Lin WANG5, Huayu LU1
1. School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China 2. School of History and Culture, Chifeng University, Chifeng 024000, China 3. Department of Geology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469, USA 4. Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China 5. School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
The West Liao River Basin is the hub of ancient civilizations as well as the birthplace of rain-fed agriculture in Northern China. In the present study, based on 276 archaeological sites on the south bank of the Xar Moron River, Northeastern China, we trace the changes in prehistoric cultures as well as the shifts in the spatial and temporal patterns of human settlement in the West Liao River Basin. Location information for those sites was obtained from fieldwork. Factors such as climate change, landform evolution of the Horqin Dunefield, and subsistence strategies practiced at the sites were extracted via the meta-analysis of published literature. Our results show that the Holocene Optimum promoted the emergence of Neolithic Culture on the south bank of the Xar Moron River. Monsoon failure might have caused the periodic collapse or transformation of prehistoric cultures at (6.5, 4.7, 3.9, and 3.0) kyr B.P., leaving spaces for new cultural types to develop after these gaps. The rise and fall of different cultures was also determined by subsistence strategies. The Xiaoheyan Culture, with mixed modes of subsistence, weakened after 4.7 kyr B.P., whereas the Upper Xiajiadian Culture, supported by sheep breeding, expanded after 3.0 kyr B.P. Global positioning system data obtained from the archaeological sites reveal that cultures with different subsistence strategies occupied distinct geographic regions. Humans who subsisted on hunting and gathering resided at higher altitudes during the Paleolithic Age (1074 m a.s.l.). Mixed subsistence strategies led humans to settle down at 600–1000 m a.s.l. in the Neolithic Age. Agricultural activities caused humans to migrate to 400–800 m a.s.l. in the early Bronze Age, whereas livestock production shifted human activities to 800–1200 m a.s.l. in the late Bronze Age.
. [J]. Frontiers of Earth Science, 2017, 11(1): 137-147.
Xin JIA, Shuangwen YI, Yonggang SUN, Shuangye WU, Harry F. LEE, Lin WANG, Huayu LU. Spatial and temporal variations in prehistoric human settlement and their influencing factors on the south bank of the Xar Moron River, Northeastern China. Front. Earth Sci., 2017, 11(1): 137-147.
L Barton, S D Newsome, F H Chen, H Wang, T P Guilderson, R L Bettinger (2009). Agricultural origins and the isotopic identity of domestication in northern China. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 106(14): 5523–5528 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0809960106
2
F H Chen, G H Dong, D J Zhang, X Y Liu, X Jia, C B An, M M Ma, Y W Xie, L Barton, X Y Ren, Z J Zhao, X H Wu, M K Jones (2015a). Agriculture facilitated permanent human occupation of the Tibetan Plateau after 3600 BP. Science, 347(6219): 248–250 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1259172
3
F H Chen, Q H Xu, J H Chen, H J B Birks, J B Liu, S R Zhang, L Y Jin, C B An, R J Telford, X Y Cao, Z L Wang, X J Zhang, K Selvaraj, H Y Lu, Y C Li, Z Zheng, H P Wang, A F Zhou, G H Dong, J W Zhang, X Z Huang, J Bloemendal, Z G Rao (2015b). East Asian summer monsoon precipitation variability since the last deglaciation. Sci Rep, 5: 11186 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep11186
4
G Crawford (2009). Agricultural origins in North China pushed back to the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 106(18): 7271–7272 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0903375106
5
J D Guedes, H L Lu, Y X Li, R N Spengler, X H Wu, M S Aldenderfer (2014). Moving agriculture onto the Tibetan plateau: the archaeobotanical evidence. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 6(3): 255–269 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-013-0153-4
6
R D Drennan, C E Peterson (2006). Patterned variation in prehistoric chiefdoms. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 103(11): 3960–3967 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0510862103
7
Hexigten Museum (1992). Brief investigation Report on the Xiaodian cemetery and site during Xiaoheyan period in Hexigten County. Cultural Relics and Archaeology in Inner Mongolia, (Z1): 77–83 (in Chinese)
8
Y T Hong, B Hong, Q H Lin, Y Shibata, M Hirota, Y X Zhu, X T Leng, Y Wang, H Wang, L Yi (2005). Inverse phase oscillations between the East Asian and Indian Ocean summer monsoons during the last 12 000 years and paleo-El Nino. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 231(3–4): 337–346 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2004.12.025
9
Y T Hong, B Hong, Q H Lin, Y Shibata, Y X Zhu, X T Leng, Y Wang (2009). Synchronous climate anomalies in the western North Pacific and North Atlantic regions during the last 14,000 years. Quat Sci Rev, 28(9–10): 840–849 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.11.011
10
X Jia, G H Dong, H Li, K Brunson, F H Chen, M M Ma, H Wang, K R Zhang (2013). The development of agriculture and its impact on cultural expansion during the mid-late Neolithic in the Western Loess Plateau, China. Holocene, 23(1): 85–92 https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683612450203
11
X Jia, Y G Sun, L Wang, W F Sun, Z J Zhao, H F Lee, W B Huang, S Y Wu, H Y Lu (2016). The transition of human subsistence strategies in relation to climate change during the Bronze Age in the West Liao River Basin, Northeast China. Holocene, doi: 10.1177/0959683615618262
A Lawler (2007). CIimate spurred Later Indus decline. Science, 316(5827): 978–979
14
G A Lee, G W Crawford, L Liu, X C Chen (2007). Plants and people from the early Neolithic to Shang periods in North China. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 104(3): 1087–1092 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0609763104
15
GD Li (1982). New discovery about Shipengshan Cemetery in Chifeng City. Cultural Relics, (2): 31–36 (in Chinese)
16
X Q Li (2013). New progress in the Holocene climate and agriculture research in China. Sci China Earth Sci, 56(12): 2027–2036 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-013-4758-3
17
X Q Li, X Shang, J Dodson, X Y Zhou (2009). Holocene agriculture in the Guanzhong Basin in NW China indicated by pollen and charcoal evidence. Holocene, 19(8): 1213–1220 https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683609345083
18
Y Y Li, K J Willis, L P Zhou, H T Cui (2006). The impact of ancient civilization on the northeastern Chinese landscape: palaeoecological evidence from the Western Liaohe River Basin, Inner Mongolia. Holocene, 16(8): 1109–1121 https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683606069403
19
Liaoning Provincial Institute of Culture, Relics and Archaeology, Chifeng Museum (1998). Danangou–An Excavation Report on the Cemetery of Post-Hongshan Culture. Beijing: Science Press, 15–24
20
G X Liu (2004). The achievement and significance of the archaeological work in the Xinglonggou site. In: Liu G X, ed. Archaeological Studies of Northeast China. Beijing: Science Press, 58–74 (in Chinese)
21
J X Liu, G Z Yang (1982). Hongshan Cultural site at Xishuiquan, Chifeng. Archaeology, (2): 183–198 (in Chinese)
22
J X Liu, Y X Zhu (1988). Brief Excavation Report on the locality 1 of the Zhaobaogou site in Aohan County, Inner Mongolia. Archiaeology, (1): 1–6 (in Chinese)
23
X Y Liu, M K John, Z J Zhao, G X Liu, T C O Connell (2012). The earliest evidence of millet as a staple crop: new light on Neolithic foodways in North China. Am J Phys Anthropol, 149(2): 283–290 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22127
24
E Peterson C, X M Lu, R D Drennan, D Zhu (2010). Hongshan chiefly communities in Neolithic northeastern China. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 107(13): 5756–5761 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1000949107
25
V J Polyak, Y Asmerom (2001). Late Holocene climate and cultural changes in the southwestern United States. Science, 294(5540): 148–151 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1062771
26
S W Qiu (1989). Study on the formation and evolution of Horqin sandy land. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 9(4): 317–328 (in Chinese)
27
B C Ramsey (2001). Development of the radiocarbon calibration program. Radiocarbon, 43(2A): 355–363
28
P J Reimer, M G L Baillie, E Bard, A Bayliss, J W Beck, P G Blackwell, C B Ramsey, C E Buck, G S Burr, R L Edwards, M Friedrich, P M Grootes, T P Guilderson, I Hajdas, T J Heaton, A G Hogg, K A Hughen, K F Kaiser, B Kromer, F G McCormac, S W Manning, R W Reimer, D A Richards, J R Southon, S Talamo, C S M Turney, P J Vander, C E Weyhenmeyer (2009). IntCal09 and Marine09 radiocarbon age calibration curves, 0–50,000 years cal B.P. Radiocarbon, 51(4): 1111–1150
29
G Schettler, Q Liu, J Mingram, M Stebich, P Dulski (2006). East-Asian monsoon variability between 15000 and 2000 cal. yr BP recorded in varved sediments of Lake Sihailongwan (northeastern China, Long Gang volcanic field). Holocene, 16(8): 1043–1057 https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683606069388
30
R Song, Q J Chen (2004). Preliminary study on zoological remains before Han Dynasty in Chifeng District. Cultural Relics and Archaeology in Inner Mongolia, 24(2): 85–101 (in Chinese)
31
Y G Sun (2012). Analysis on plant flotation results in 2009 in Weijiawopusite site. Northern Cultural Relics, 32(1): 37–40 (in Chinese)
32
Y G Sun, Z J Zhao (2013). A comprehensive study on plant remains excavated from Weijiawopu site, a Hongshan site. Agricultural Archaeology, 33(3): 1–5 (in Chinese)
33
X F Suo, Z Z Guo (2004). Remains of Xiaohexi Culture in Baiyinchanghan site. Res China’s Front Archaeology, 3(1): 301–310 (in Chinese)
34
G L Tian (2006). Pattern of social development during the Lower Xiajiadian period in West Liaohe Basin. Archaeology, (3): 237–244 (in Chinese)
35
M Wagner, P Tarasov, D Hosner, A Fleck, R Ehrich, X C Chen, C Leipe (2013). Mapping of the spatial and temporal distribution of archaeological sites of northern China during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Quat Int, 290–291(8): 344–357 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.06.039
36
J Y Wu, Y J Wang, H Cheng, X G Kong, D B Liu (2012). Stable isotope and trace element investigation of two contemporaneous annually-laminated stalagmites from northeastern China surrounding the 8.2 ka event. Clim Past, 8(3): 1591–1614 https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-8-1591-2012
37
J Y Wu, Y J Wang, J G Dong (2011). Changes in East Asian summer monsoon duting the Holocene recorded by stalagmite d18O records from Liaoning Province. Quaternary Sciences, 31(6): 990–998 (in Chinese)
38
Z K Xia, H Deng, H L Wu (2000). Geomorphologic background of the prehistoric culture evolution in the Xar Moron River Basin, Inner Mongolia. Acta Geogr Sin, 55(3): 329–336
39
Q H Xu, Z J Yang, Z J Cui, X L Yang, W D Liang (2002). A study on pollen analysis of Qiguoshan Section and ancestor living environment in Chifeng Area, Nei Mongol. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 22(4): 453–457 (in Chinese)
40
G Yancheva, J Nowaczyk, P Mingram, G Dulski, J F W Schettler, J Q Negendank, D Liu, M Sigman, L C Peterson, G H Haug (2007). Influence of the intertropical convergence zone on the East Asian monsoon. Nature, 445(7123): 74–77 https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05431
41
H Yang, X Z Lin (2009). A summary of the unearthed wares in Yushushan and Xiliang sites, Aohan Banner, Inner Mongolia. Northern Cultural Relics, 29(2): 13–21 (in Chinese)
42
H Yang, G X Liu (1997). Brief excavation report on Xinglongwa site in 1992 in Aohan County, Inner Mongolia. Archaeology, (1): 1–26 (in Chinese)
43
H Yang, Y P Zhu (1985). Brief excavation report on Xinglongwa site in Aohan County, Inner Mongolia. Archaeology, (10): 865–874 (in Chinese)
44
H Yang, Y P Zhu (1987). Xiaoshan site in Aohan County, Inner Mongolia. Archiaeology, (6): 481–502 (in Chinese)
45
L H Yang, T Wang, J Zhou, Z P Lai, H Long (2012). OSL chronology and possible forcing mechanisms of dune evolution in the Horqin Dunefield in northern China since the Last Glacial Maximum. Quat Res, 78(2): 185–196 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2012.05.002
46
X P Yang, L A Scuderi, X L Wang, L J Scuderi, D G Zhang, H W Li, S Forman, Q H Xu, R C Wang, W W Huang, S X Yang (2015). Groundwater sapping as the cause of irreversible desertification of Hunshandake Sandy Lands, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 112(3): 702–706 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418090112
47
S W Yi, H Y Lu, L Zeng, Z W Xu (2013). Paleoclimate changes and reconstruction of the border of Horqin Dunefield (Northeastern China) since the last Giacial Maximum. Quaternary Sciences, 33(2): 206–217 (in Chinese)
48
D D Zhang, H F Lee, C Wang, B S Li, Q Pei, J Zhang, Y L An (2011). The causality analysis of climate change and large-scale human crisis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 108(42): 17296–17301 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1104268108
49
X L Zhang, J X Wang, Z Q Xian, S H Qiu (2003). Studies on ancient human diet. Archaeology, (2): 62–75 (in Chinese)
50
B F Zhao (2005). Some knowledge on Xiaoheyan Culture. Cultural Relics, (7): 63–68 (in Chinese)
51
K L Zhao, X Q Li, X Shang, X Y Zhou, N Sun (2009). Agricultural characteristics of middle-late Bronze Age in western Liaoning Province. Chinese Bulletin of Botany, 44(6): 718–724 (in Chinese)
52
K L Zhao, X Q Li, X Y Zhou, N Sun (2011). Agricultural activities and its impact on the environment in Lower Xiajiadian Culture period of the Chengzishang site, western Liaoning Province. Quaternary Sciences, 31(1): 8–15 (in Chinese)
53
Z J Zhao (2004). Rainfed agriculture originated in northern China was discussed from flotation results in Xinglonggou site. In: Department of Archaeology and Museology, Nanjing Normal University, eds. East Asian Archaeology (A). Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House, 188–190 (in Chinese)
54
Z J Zhao (2011). New archaeobotanic data for the study of the origins of agriculture in China. Curr Anthropol, 52(S4): S295–S306 https://doi.org/10.1086/659308
55
Z J Zhao (2014). The process of origin of agriculture in China: archaeological evidence from flotation results. Quaternaty Sciences, 34(1): 73–84 (in Chinese)
