The temporal and spatial distribution of ancient rice in China and its implications

The relics of ancient rice have been regarded as the most important objective evidence of the origination and spread of rice cultivation. Based on the records of 280 rice relics sites and the rice cropping regionalization as well as the distribution map of paddy soils, the current study compiled the temporal and spatial distribution map of ancient rice distribution in China. The map shows that the distribution of ancient rice is spatially extensive and meantime comparatively concentrated, temporarily covering a long and relatively continuous time-span. The rice relics in the Central China double and single rice cropping regions are among the earliest and the most abundant ones, possessing continuity in time sequence. Combined with the discovery of ancient rice and paddy filed relics, soil micromorphology, pollen combination and element geochemistry, it is suggested that Central China was the origin center of rice cultivation in China. Rice had been spread to the rest part of China in three major waves, also to the East Asian part like Korea and Japan. The temporal and spatial distribution of ancient rice reflects the past environmental change, which is also meaningful to the current rice regionalization and planning as well as food security in China.