Environmental archaeology on Longshan Culture (4500–4000 aBP) at Yuhuicun Site in Bengbu, Anhui Province

doi:10.1007/s11442-010-0455-8

Abstract

Abstract:

Based on the samples collected from the west wall of the ABYT2004 at Yuhuicun Site in Bengbu, Anhui Province, the multi-environmental substitute indexes such as the grain-size, Rb/Sr, zircon crystal morphology and magnetic susceptibility were analyzed. The age of archaeological strata was determined by AMS14C dating. According to the results, combined with the information of the ancient human activities and the cultural heritage data obtained from the Longshan cultural archaeological strata, it can be concluded that (1) Before 4500 aBP, the climate was humid and water level was high in the Huaihe River and its tributaries, the drainage basin and its surrounding areas were even flooded, so the site area was submerged and there were no human activities around the site. (2) About 4500 aBP, the climate began to become drier and water level of the Huaihe River and its tributaries began to decline, thus floodplain gradually appeared, Yuhuicun Site and Longshan Culture began to appear. (3) Around 4100 aBP, the climate was humid and rainfall was abundant, which resulted in frequent flood disasters in the whole Huaihe River Basin. (4) After 4100 aBP, the climate gradually transited to be cold and dry, agricultural production was constrained to reduce the food source, Yuhuicun Site was almost abandoned. (5) The environmental information in sedimentary strata and historical records based on ancient books agree with each other. In addition, Yuhuicun Site was related to Dayu Zhishui (Yu the Great in taming the floods) in ancient books.

Key words: Yuhuicun Site, Longshan Culture, 4500–4000 aBP, environmental change, Huaihe River Basin

ZHANG Guangsheng, ZHU Cheng, WANG Jihuai, ZHU Guangyao, MA Chunmei, ZHENG Chaogui, ZHAO Lanhui, LI Zhongxuan, LI Lan, JIN Aichun. Environmental archaeology on Longshan Culture (4500–4000 aBP) at Yuhuicun Site in Bengbu, Anhui Province[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(3): 455-468.

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