1. Anthracological analysis from the Bronze Age site of Erlitou (Henan province, China)
- Author
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Haitao Zhao, Shuzhi Wang, Marvin Demicoli, Hong Xu, and Guoliang Chen
- Subjects
010506 paleontology ,biology ,Zelkova ,Ziziphus ,Platycladus ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Prunus armeniaca ,Horticulture ,Deciduous ,Geography ,Celtis ,Koelreuteria ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Earth-Surface Processes ,Toona - Abstract
Erlitou (Henan province, China) is a Bronze Age site which occupies a prominent position in the study of early state and civilization of China. 359 charcoal fragments >4 mm and 40 charred fruit stones unearthed during the 2010 and 2011 excavation seasons at Erlitou have been analysed. Wood charcoals belong to 18 taxa: Platycladus, Pinus, Picea, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus persica, Quercus (deciduous oaks), Celtis, Zelkova, Broussonetia, Ziziphus, Salix, Toona, Koelreuteria, Sophora, Melia, Bambusoideae and 2 unidentified broadleaved species. In addition, 39 Prunus persica stones and 1 Ziziphus stone have been identified. The anthracological results indicate that the main types of woodland vegetation were Quercus broadleaved forest, and coniferous and broadleaved forest during the Erlitou Culture period (1750-1520 BC) including Platycladus orientalis coniferous forest and deciduous vegetation composed of oak, Zelkova, Salix, Toona and some fruit trees such as apricot, peach and Chinese date. Our study indicates a vegetation adapted to a warmer and more humid climate in phases 2 and 3 of the Erlitou Culture period (1680-1560 BC) becoming drier in phase 4 (1560-1520 BC). By the late Erligang period (1400-1300 BC) climate becomes again warmer and more humid. It also suggests that oak played an important role as firewood and possibly for wooden artefacts and as a food source. The appearance of charcoals of apricot, peach and Chinese date also suggests that fruits were consumed, while Chinese hackberries could have been used either as food or fodder.
- Published
- 2021