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Previous studies on environmental restorative effects have mainly focused on visual landscapes, and less on the influence of soundscapes on restorative, but soundscapes play a crucial role in restorative environments, especially rural soundscapes, but there is insufficient existing theoretical evidence on the subject. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of Rural Soundscape Perception on Environmental Restoration Perception, and introduces two affective variables, tourism nostalgia and place attachment, to explore the mechanism of Rural Soundscape Perception on Environmental Restoration Perception, as well as the moderating role of the number of trips is also discussed. Based on the theory of restorative environment, this study took the Taohuayuan Scenic Spot in Changde, Hunan Province, China, as the case site, and selected the rural soundscape in the area as the research object; a total of 506 valid data were collected through questionnaire surveys, and structural equation modeling was used to validate the collected data. It was found that rural soundscape perception had a significant positive effect on tourism nostalgia, place attachment, and environmental restoration perception. The results also showed that tourism nostalgia and place attachment mediated the relationship between rural soundscape perception and environmental restoration perception. Additionally, the results revealed that the number of trips did not play a moderating role in the structural relationship between rural soundscape perception and environmental restoration perception. Last, the results of the study shed light on the complex influence path of "rural soundscape perception→tourism nostalgia→place attachment→environmental restoration perception", which provides a new perspective for understanding the mechanism of the rural environment to people's health, and also has a certain guiding significance for the landscape planning of rural tourism sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recall of natural environments evokes human psychophysiological response, there is a lack of systematic, comprehensive analysis in existing research. Moreover, the limited experimental conditions lead to various laboratory research, and more field studies are needed. Employing the field research design and relative environmental psychology methods, this research investigates physical and psychological indexes changes of 60 Chinese university students aged 19–25, which include positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), heart rate (HR), heart-rate variability (HRV), concentration (Pa), and relaxation (Pm), and regards the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China as the experimental site. This study evaluates the psychophysiological effects of the natural forest environment on participates and explores the overall psychophysiological changes, and verifies the positive effect of the natural forest environment on university students. The main findings indicated that the natural forest environment was beneficial for increasing positive affect, decreasing negative affect, affecting HR, and increasing HRV, Pa and Pm. This study adds some basic evidence to a growing theoretical literature emphasizing the role of natural forest environment in psychophysiological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hominin-animal interactions at Pleistocene archaeological sites have been the main subject of research during human evolution. However, in contrast to that of ungulates, little is known about the evidence of human processing of carnivore species in this time interval of China. In this paper, we present the first case report of an interactive relationship between carnivore species and hunter-gathers in Pleistocene China, based mainly on a detailed taphonomic study of the faunal remains from Shuidonggou Locality 7. It seems highly probable that hominins butchered some individuals of carnivores and roasted bone elements with adhering meat at the site; whereas it's equally feasible that these animals were exploited by hominins mainly for their pelt or fur. In either way, evidence from the site indicates novel strategies in adaptive behaviors adopted by Late Pleistocene foragers in harsh environments of Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have long recognized the importance of organic artifacts to an improved understanding of the economic and social behavior of Palaeolithic hominins. However, in contrast to archaeological studies in other parts of the world, osseous industries from China have received only limited attention. As one of the first steps aiming at tipping this balance, the current paper examines, therefore, a shaped boar tusk—one particular element of hunter-gatherers' tool kit at Shuidonggou Locality 12 (SDG12). Morphological and metrical comparisons of the tusk with both paleontological specimens and bone artifacts from the same site demonstrate that wear pattern on one of the dentin surfaces of the tooth is not significant different from occlusal attritions in living animals, while linear striations on the other dentin facet are most probably artificial grinding marks formed by prehistoric toolmakers in attempts to manufacture a scraper. The tusk specimen from SDG12 represents the first evidence of a ground tooth in Upper Palaeolithic China. The current study indicates that hominins in Shuidonggou area had achieved a deepened understanding of physical properties of osseous material available in environs and ultimately broadened their range of raw material selection by adding a particular element to the inventory of subsistence tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on Palaeolithic bone technology from China is sparse. Here we present the results of a techno-functional analysis of a bone tool assemblage recovered from Shuidonggou Locality 12 (SDG12), layer 11, Northern China, dated to c. 12-11 cal ka BP. Six bone tool artefact types are identified: wedges, awls, spear points, a knife handle, a possible sewing implement, and a notched carpal. Two other artefacts could not be attributed to a specific type. The artefacts are made of Procapra przewalsikii , Lepus sp., Sus sp., Equus przewalskii , and unidentifiable bone fragments from medium/large size mammals. At least three methods are used to extract blanks: percussion of altered limb bones, longitudinal splitting of Sus sp. canine and large rib, and probably, the groove-and-splinter technique. Grinding and scraping are the dominant shaping techniques together with grooving, notching, polishing, drilling, flaking, and retouching. Tool type variability and function fit the hypothesis according to which the SDG12 and similar sites would be residential camps in which hunter-gatherers produced artefacts enabling them to cope with cold environmental conditions. Our results, however, indicate that not all bone tools match the expectations associated with a serial specialist production. Expedient wedges and awls may have been produced by any member of the group, and whenever the need arose. The SDG12 bone tool assemblage provides a significant contribution to our knowledge about hunter-gatherer adaptations to the Tardiglacial environments of Northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the results of a techno-functional analysis of 17 bone tools recovered from strata 6, 5 and 3 of the Palaeolithic site of Ma'anshan Cave, Guizhou Province, southern China. Stratum 6, dated to c. 35 cal kyr BP, has yielded three sharp awls. From Stratum 5, dated to c. 34 cal kyr BP, come six probable spear points, awls and a cutting tool. Separated from these layers by a sterile horizon, Stratum 3, dated 23 cal kyr BP to 18 cal kyr BP, has yielded barbed points of two types. Bone tools were shaped by scraping, grinding, and in strata 5 and 3, finished by polishing. Ma'anshan Cave records the oldest formal bone tools from China, and amongst the oldest known evidence of indisputable barbed point manufacture outside Africa. Change in the hunting toolkit between strata 5 and 3 may indicate a shift in prey preference from medium to small size mammals and fish, which needs to be verified by supplementary analyses. The significance of this evidence is discussed in the context of what is known about the origin of bone tool technology in Africa and Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial quantities of sediments are known to enter the deep lithosphere at subduction zones, but the extent to which sediments melt and the process involved in sediment contribution to the deep lithosphere are inadequately understood. Vigorous debate continues about whether the subducted sediment component is terrigenous or pelagic and transported as a hydrous melt, an aqueous fluid, or bulk sediment. In this contribution, we conduct an integrated study on a variety of deep-seated xenoliths in the Neogene Hannuoba basalts from the northern margin of the North China Craton. Among these xenoliths, clinopyroxenite xenoliths are compositionally and isotopically distinct. Mineral chemistry shows that the clinopyroxenite xenoliths come from a depth near the MOHO, rather than from the mantle as suggested previously. The clinopyroxenite xenoliths have extremely evolved Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions and are interpreted to have a late Archean protolith age. The extremely low contents of Cr and Ni for the clinopyroxenite xenoliths preclude a magmatic origin. Instead, a metasomatic origin is suggested, which is strongly supported for the clinopyroxenites by the occurrence of hydrous minerals and high contents of large-ion-lithophile elements (K, Rb, Ba, Th and Sr) and light rare earth elements, as well as elevated δ18O (9.9–11.3‰) and light δ26Mg (−1.04‰ to −1.42‰) isotopic compositions. Furthermore, their high high-field-strength element (Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf) contents indicate that the metasomatic agent is a hydrous melt, rather than an aqueous fluid. The metasomatic melts are considered to be derived from a mixed source of sedimentary carbonates and ancient, felsic continental materials. A combination of zircon ages and oxygen isotope data for the clinopyroxenite xenoliths further restricts the timing of metasomatism to the late Paleozoic. Considering the regional tectonic setting, the sediments most likely came from the subducted Paleo-Asian oceanic slab. Thus the Hannuoba clinopyroxenite xenoliths provide direct evidence for melting of the subducted Paleo-Asian oceanic slab sediment and its interaction with the deep lithosphere. The data show that melting of subducted sediments can take place at a much shallower depth than commonly thought and place an independent constraint on future models of slab geotherms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few sites in China have yielded definite evidence for a complex bone technology. In this paper, we present a detailed description and an integrated techno-functional study of seven bone needles from Shuidonggou locality 12 dated to 12.2–11.0 ka BP in North China. Tool production processes conforming to the classic descriptions of formal techniques, including scraping, grinding, perforating, polishing and occasionally heat-treating were streamlined to process osseous materials at this site. In Shuidonggou locality 12, the bone needles manufactured accordingly were used to produce sophisticated and fitted clothing, which helps to counter winter subsistence risk, until they were very blunt or broken or no more appropriate for use, and then were discarded in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mysterious loss of five calvaria of Homo erectus and three skulls of Homo sapiens sapiens , unearthed from Zhoukoudian, a world cultural heritage site, during World War II is a great loss for paleoanthropological research. Although frontal and occipital bones of Homo erectus were unearthed in 1966, additional important human fossils cannot be found due to the fact that most of the fossil-bearing deposits were removed in early diggings at ZKD Locality 1, the so-called Peking Man Site. From 1995 to 2004, a series of in situ geological and geophysical investigations using electromagnetic, electric panel, magnetic, microgravity, electric tomograms, surface seismic waves, ground penetrating radar, and test drilling methods, were conducted on Dragon Bone Hill, where the Peking Man Site is located. Here, we report that some geophysical anomalies have been clearly detected and there are still significant deposits suitable for archaeological excavations in hidden cavities in the hill, which demonstrate how some civil engineering methods can be employed for archaeological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the origin and related mantle dynamics responsible for the generation of giant granitic batholiths in convergent margins is critical to unravel the formation mechanism of the silica–rich continental crust. This paper reports the whole–rock major element, trace element, Sr-Nd isotopic, and zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope data of samples from the Menglian Batholith in the eastern Tengchong Terrane of southwest Yunnan. These samples consist of two groups, including the Group I rocks that are mostly granitic with zircon U-Pb ages of 132–122 Ma and the Group II rocks that display varying compositions from gabbroic to granitic with zircon U-Pb ages of 122–112 Ma. The Group I samples have zircon ε Hf (t) of −11.7 to −4.2 and whole–rock ε Nd (t) of −10.1 to −8.9, whereas the Group II samples show elevated zircon ε Hf (t) of −7.8 to +7.1 and whole–rock ε Nd (t) of −9.0 to −6.9 and ε Hf (t) of −3.1 to −1.0. The Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of the Group I rocks are coupled, likely resulting from the partial melting of an ancient lower crust. However, the Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of the Group II rocks are decoupled, likely inheriting from the mantle–derived material with decoupled Nd-Hf isotopic compositions. Regional geological correlation and compositional transition documented by the Group I and Group II samples collectively indicate that the slab rollback and subsequent breakoff of the subducting Bangong–Nujiang ocean lithosphere during the Tengchong–Baoshan collision can be invoked to explain the generation of the Menglian Batholith. The similarity of average compositions between the Group II samples and the bulk continental crust suggests that the addition of mantle–derived material to the ancient crust–derived melts seems to be an efficient process for crustal growth during continental collisions. • Menglian Batholith was emplaced at 132–122 Ma (Group I) and 122–112 Ma (Group II). • Group I and II samples are coupled and decoupled in Nd-Hf isotopes, respectively. • Decoupling Nd-Hf isotopic compositions are inherited from mantle–derived material. • Group I and II samples are associated with slab rollback and breakoff. • Addition of mantle–derived material contributes to crustal growth efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]