Journal of Geographical Sciences >
Settlement distribution and its relationship with environmental changes from the Neolithic to Shang-Zhou dynasties in northern Shandong, China
Received date: 2013-03-05
Revised date: 2013-03-30
Online published: 2013-08-15
Supported by
Major Program of National Social Science Foundation of China, No.11&ZD183; Youth Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 40901012;National Key Technology R&D Program of China, No.2013BAK08B02; National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41171006; No.41271228
In this paper, the spatial and temporal distribution of the settlement sites of six periods from the Neolithic Age to the Shang and Zhou dynasties in northern Shandong was investigated using the ArcGIS program, and the relationship between settlement distribution and environmental changes was discussed, based on the proxy records of climatic and environmental change contained in the sediments from three sections at the Shuangwangcheng site and the previous work. The results show that the climate was warm and humid and the sea level was relatively high during the period of 8000-5000 a BP in the study area, and the ancient people lived in the relatively flat (slope of <2°) areas at high elevation (20-300 m above sea level), such as diluvial tableland and alluvial plain. On the other hand, few archaeological sites in the low-lying plain in the west of the study area indicate that few people lived there during that period. This might be attributed to frequent flooding in the area. After 5000 years ago, the scope of human activity extended to the area close to the sea because the relatively colder and drier climate results in sea-level fall, meanwhile the low-lying plain in the west was occupied by the ancient people. The study area of this period was characterized by the rapid development of prehistoric culture, the intensified social stratification and the emergence of early city-states. However, around 4000 a BP, the abrupt change in climate and the increase in frequency and intensity of floods severely disrupted human activities, and eventually led to the decline of the Yueshi culture. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the climatic conditions gradually stabilized in a mild-dry state, which promoted the redevelopment and flourish of the Bronze Culture. The previous situation, which was characteristic of sparse human settlements due to freshwater shortage and unfitted conditions for sedentary agriculture, changed during the Shang and Zhou dynasties in northern coastal wetlands.Local residents effectively adapted themselves to the tough environmental conditions by producing sea-salt, which led to the rapid growth of human activities.
GUO Yuanyuan, MO Duowen, MAO Longjiang, WANG Shougong, LI Shuicheng . Settlement distribution and its relationship with environmental changes from the Neolithic to Shang-Zhou dynasties in northern Shandong, China[J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2013 , 23(4) : 679 -694 . DOI: 10.1007/s11442-013-1037-3
An Chengbang, Wang Lin, Ji Duxue et al., 2006. The temporal and spatial changes of Neolithic cultures in Gansu-Qinghai region and possible environmental forcing. Quaternary Sciences, 26(6): 923-927. (in Chinese)
An Chuanguang, Zhao Yunlong, Lin Ling et al., 2008. The biodiversity of marobenthos of intertidal zone on Chongming Island in summer. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 28(2): 577-586. (in Chinese)
Ding Min, Peng Shuzhen, Pang Jiangli et al., 2011. Holocene environmental change and its impacts on cultural development in the central region of Shandong Province. Chinese Journal of Soil Science, 42(6): 1281-1287. (in Chinese)
Editorial Committee of the National Geomorphological Atlas of PRC, 1985. The National Geomorphological Atlas of the People's Republic of China. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Gao Huazhong, Zhu Cheng, Cao Guojie et al., 2006. Environmental archaeology on the rise and decline of ancient culture around 2000BC in the Yishu River basin. Acta Geographica Sinica, 61(3): 255-261. (in Chinese)
Giraud J, 2009. The evolution of settlement patterns in the eastern Oman from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (6000-2000 BC). Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 341 (8/9): 739-749.
Gupta A K, 2004. Origin of agriculture and domestication of plants and animals linked to early Holocene climate amelioration. Current Science, 87(1): 54-59.
Han M L, Zhao Y H, Zhang D, 2012. Agricultural reclamations in Xiliao River Valley, China since the Holocene. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 22(2): 371-381.
He Deliang, 2004. The Neolithic agriculture in Shandong. Agricultural Archaeology, (3): 58-69. (in Chinese)
He X B, Zhou J, Zhang X B et al., 2006. Soil erosion response to climatic change and human activity during the Quaternary on the Loess Plateau, China. Regional Environmental Change, 6(1/2): 62-70.
Hu Yaowu, Luan Fengshi, Wang Shougong et al., 2008. Preliminary attempt to distinguish the domesticated pigs from wild boars by the methods of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. Science in China (Series D), 38(6): 693-700. (in Chinese)
Jian Zhimin, Wang Pinxian, Li Baohua et al., 1996. Cold event during the late-Holocene in the western Pacific ocean. Science in China (Series D), 26(5): 461-466. (in Chinese)
Jin Guiyun, Liu Dongsheng, 2001. Cold event and the ancient culture changes during the mid-Holocene in the north of northern China. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46(20): 1725-1730. (in Chinese)
Jin Guiyun, Wang Chuanming, 2010. Climate and environment of the Neolithic Age in Haidai Region. Journal of Palaeogeography, 12(3): 355-363. (in Chinese)
Jin Guiyun, Wang Chuanming, Zheng Tongxiu et al., 2012. Research of the charred seeds and fruits of Gaoqing site in Shandong province. Relics from South, (1): 147-155. (in Chinese)
Kong Qingsheng, 1996. Animal remains in Xiaojingshan site. Huaxia Archaeology, (2): 23-28. (in Chinese)
Kuper R., Kropelin S, 2006. Climate-controlled Holocene occupation in the Sahara: Motor of Africa's evolution. Science, 313(5788): 803-807.
Lin Fang, Wang Jianzhong, Li Jianfen et al., 2005. Characteristics of microfossil assemblages and evolution of the sedimentary environment since the late Quaternary in the Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea. Regional Geology of China, 24(9): 879-884. (in Chinese)
Liu J, Saito Y, Wang H et al., 2007. Sedimentary evolution of the Holocene subaqueous clinoform off the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea. Marine Geology, 236(3/4): 165-187.
Liu J, Saito Y, Wang H et al., 2009. Stratigraphic development during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene offshore of the Yellow River Delta, Bohai Sea. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 36(4/5): 318-331.
Liu T, Chen Z Y, Sun Q L et al., 2012. Migration of Neolithic settlements in the Dongting Lake area of the middle Yangtze River Basin, China: Lake-level and monsoon climate responses. Holocene, 22(6): 649-657.
Luan Fengshi, 1997. The Archaeological Research on Haidai Region. Jinan: Shandong University Press. (in Chinese)
Nicoll K, 2004. Recent environmental change and prehistoric human activity in Egypt and northern Sudan. Quaternary Science Reviews, 23(5/6): 561-580.
State Administration of Cultural Relics (SACR), 2007. Atlas of Chinese Cultural Relics: Shandong Volume. Beijing: Sinomaps Press. (in Chinese)
Tong Peihua, 2000. A retrospect and prospects of Shandong archaeology at the turn of century. Archaeology, (10): 1-14. (in Chinese)
Turney C, Brown H, 2007. Catastrophic early Holocene sea level rise, human migration and the Neolithic transition in Europe. Quaternary Science Reviews. 26(17/18): 2036-2041.
Wagner M, Tarasov P, Hosner D et al., 2013. Mapping of the spatial and temporal distribution of archaeological sites of northern China during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Quaternary International, (290/291): 344-357.
Wang Pinxian, Zhang Jijun, Zhao Quanhong et al., 1988. Foraminifera and Ostracoda in Surface Sediments of the East China Sea. Beijing: China Ocean Press. (in Chinese)
Wang Qing, 1993. The changes of the course of Yellow River and the development of the culture. Cultural Relics of Central China, (4): 65-74. (in Chinese)
Wang Qing, Huang Aihua, Yuan Qinghua, 2005. Report on environmental archaeology of the northern coastland of Shouguang City, Shandong. Huaxia Archaeology, (4): 3-17. (in Chinese)
Wang Qing, Zhu Jiping, Shi Benheng, 2006. Man-nature relationship evolution during the Holocene in northern Shandong evidenced from coastline changes and sea-salt production. Quaternary Sciences, 26(04): 589-596.(in Chinese)
Xian Benzhong, Jiang Zaixing, 2005. Environment evolution and eustatic change of Holocene in the Yellow River delta. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 25(3): 1-7. (in Chinese)
Xu Qinghai, Wang Zihui, Wu Chen et al., 1991. The vegetation and environment of the northern Shandong plain since 30ka B.P. In: Liang Mingsheng, Zhang Jilin. Quaternary Comparative Study of Land and Sea in China. Beijing: Science Press, 188-199. (in Chinese)
Xue Chunting, 2009. Historical changes of coastlines on west and south coasts of Bohai Sea since 7000 a BP. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 29(2): 217-222. (in Chinese)
Xue Chunting, 2002. Holocene Sedimentary Environments and sea level change based on Qingfeng section, Jianhu, Jiangsu, China. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 20(1): 174-177. (in Chinese)
Yan Shengdong, 2009. Discovery and research of salt archaeology on south bank areas of the Bohai Sea during Shang and Zhou dynasties. In: Wang Zhimin. Qilu Cultural research. Jinan: Taishan Press, 238-247. (in Chinese)
Yan Wenming, 1997. The settlement archaeology and research of prehistory. Cultural Relics, (6): 27-35. (in Chinese)
Yi S, Saito Y, Oshima H et al., 2003. Holocene environmental history inferred from pollen assemblages in the Huanghe (Yellow River) Delta, China: Climatic change and human impact. Quaternary Science Reviews, 22(5-7): 609-628.
Zhang Guangming, Lu Linlin, 2004. Archaeological study of the process of civilization in Haidai region: The sequence, characteristic and social nature in northern Shandong Province. Guan Zi Journal, (1): 70-80. (in Chinese)
Zhang Zulu, Nie Xiaohong, Liu Enfeng et al., 2005. The accumulation records of environmental evolution on the salt-water intruded area south of Laizhou Bay since late Pleistocene. Geographical Research, 24(1): 105-112. (in Chinese)
Zhao Zhijun, 2004. Comparative analysis of agricultural characteristic between Liangcheng site and Jiaochangpu site of Longshan culture. In: Oriental Archaeology Research Center of Shandong University. Oriental Archaeology: Volume I. Beijing: Science Press, 210-215. (in Chinese)
Zheng Shouyi, 1988. Cement and Porcellaneous Foraminifera in the East China Sea. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Zhuang Zhenye, Xu Weidong, Li Xuelun, 1991. The coastline evolution on the south coast of the Bohai Sea since 6 ka B.P. Journal of Ocean University of Qingdao, (2): 99-110. (in Chinese)
Zong Y, Innes J B, Wang Z et al., 2012. Environmental change and Neolithic settlement movement in the lower Yangtze wetlands of China. Holocene, 22(6): 659-673.
/
〈 | 〉 |