Evolution of human–environmental interactions in China from the Late Paleolithic to the Bronze Age

Abstract

Exploring prehistoric variation in human–environmental interaction is critical for understanding the historical patterns and mechanisms of long-term human–land evolution. In this paper we review the published radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data from Late Paleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in China, analyze the spatial–temporal distribution of these sites, and compare it with the results of recent paleoclimatic and archaeological studies. We seek to study the trajectory and influencing factors of human–environmental interactions in late prehistoric China. We detect changing patterns in the relationship between humans and the environment during different phases of the prehistoric era in China. Climate change clearly affected the environment of hunter-gatherer groups between 50,000–10,000 BP (before present, defined as 1950AD), and variation in human population in Neolithic China (∼10,000–4000 BP) was likely influenced primarily by the development of agriculture, in addition to substantial climate events. The spatial scale of human settlements expanded in the Bronze Age (∼4000–2200 BP) in a period of cooling climate. During this time the impact of human activities on the environment increased significantly, primarily caused by technological innovations related to the onset of prehistoric transcontinental cultural exchange in Eurasia.

Relationship Between C4Biomass and C4Agriculture During the Holocene and its Implications for Millet Domestication in Northeast China

“…(i) East Asian Summer Monsoon variations indicated by the δ 18 O record of Lianhua cave (Zhang et al., 2013). (j) Probability density of archaeological dates in NE China since 14 ka (data from Dong et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2014). (k) Latitudinal and temporal distribution of the millet sites in North China (data from Leipe et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2008).…”

“…Contour maps of C 4 biomass and the spatiotemporal distribution of archaeological sites with millet remains in northern China since 14.0 ka (data from Dong et al., 2020; Leipe et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2008; Wang et al., 2014). …”

Human Subsistence Strategies and Adaptations in the Lower Yangtze River Region During the Prehistoric Era

“…However, recent study (Lewis, et al, 2020) challenges the above standpoint. The global increase of sea levels in the Holocene has great impact on human activities worldwide (Dong et al, 2020) and makes humans easily approach the marine resources. A number of isotopic studies show that humans close to the coastline have intensively consumed marine foods in Europe (Richards and Hedges, 1999;Montgomery, et al, 2013;Schulting, 2018), Japan (Kusaka et al, 2010), and South Korea (Choy et al, 2012) before the transition to agriculture.…”

Inner Asian agro-pastoralism as optimal adaptation strategy of Wupu inhabitants (3000–2400 cal BP) in Xinjiang, China

“…Adaptation to environment change is one of the key issues of human-environment interaction (Dong, 2018; Dong et al, 2019; Kates et al, 2012). Exploring the long-term trajectory of ancient strategies, especially in marginal geographical zones can provide scientific data and valuable insight for enhancing human response to global climate change in the future.…”