Phytolith evidence for early agriculture in the East Liao River Basin, Northeast China

We present the results of the analysis of phytoliths, grain size and organic matter content (LOI550 degrees C), and AMS C-14 dating of sedimentary profiles and individual archaeological samples from the Changshan site in Jilin Province, Northeast (NE) China. Our aim was to elucidate the origins of agriculture in the East Liao River Basin. The results indicate that there were two intervals during which prehistoric culture flourished at the Changshan site: similar to 6,500-5,600 cal years BP in the Neolithic, and similar to 3,700-2,750 cal years BP in the Bronze Age. Abundant eta-type husk phytoliths from common millet and a few Omega-type husk phytoliths from foxtail millet found at the Changshan site provide direct evidence for prehistoric agriculture during these two periods. Prehistoric agriculture was practiced together with hunting and fishing, which were part of a multi-subsistence strategy. The relatively warm and wet climate during similar to 6,500-5,600 cal years BP and similar to 3,700-2,750 cal years BP promoted the prosperity of the local culture, together with cultural interchange, and the climatic conditions also encouraged the dispersal of early agriculture in the East Liao River Basin. In addition, archaeological excavations have shown that there was frequent interchange and interaction among prehistoric cultures in NE China, and we hypothesize that the Liao River Basin was the main routeway for cultural interchange and the dispersal of prehistoric agriculture in NE China.

Automated summary

The study of the Changshan site reveals two flourishing periods of prehistoric culture around 6,500-5,600 cal years BP and 3,700-2,750 cal years BP, supported by direct evidence of prehistoric agriculture through the discovery of phytoliths. The research also suggests that prehistoric agriculture, hunting, and fishing were practiced concurrently as part of a multi-subsistence strategy, influenced by the warm and wet climate conditions during those time periods.