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Ref ID: 26762
Ref Type: Journal Article
Authors: Nasu, Hiroo
Hai-Bin Gu,
Momohara, Arata
Yasuda Yoshinori
Title: Land-use change for rice and foxtail millet cultivation in the Chengtoushan site, central China, reconstructed from weed seed assemblages
Date: 2012
Source: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-011-0077-9
Abstract: Archaeobotanical analysis of moat sediments from the Neolithic site of Chengtoushan, Hunan, China, provides evidence of the land-use change for rice and foxtail millet cultivation around the site. Rice constantly appeared through the three phases of Daxi culture with high percentages, while accompanying wetland species of paddy field weeds gradually decreased. In contrast, foxtail millet increased together with upland field and ruderal weeds through the time. These changes suggest that foxtail millet cultivation was established with the expansion of dry farming in region of the site, while rice cultivation was continuously practiced on the alluvial plain surrounding the site. This diversification of land-use through the addition of foxtail millet cultivation may be attributed to population increase or as a buffer to natural disasters such as flooding. In addition, gathering of wild nuts and fruits continued alongside cultivation. These multiple strategies for food procurement provided sustainable food supply for the population of Chengtoushan for 1,800 years.
Date Created: 4/30/2018
Volume: 4
Number: 1
Page Start: 1
Page End: 14