Search

Endangered wild Yangtze alligators (Alligator sinensis) inhabit the downstream subtropical lakes and swamps of the Yangtze River at a latitude of approximately 30° N. What remains puzzling is the discovery of the remains of Yangtze alligators at many Middle and Late Neolithic archeological sites in North China, mainly in the form of alligator osteoderms buried in tombs of the elite. To determine whether these Yangtze alligators were indigenous or were part of long-distance trading between the northern and southern parts of China, we conducted a strontium isotope analysis of alligator osteoderms from three archaeological sites dating from the Late Neolithic Age (2500~1900 BC). The results show that these remains are mainly indigenous, which means that the northern boundary of the distribution of Yangtze alligators may even have reached the Yellow River basin 4000 years ago. Based on historical records from the Longshan and Erlitou Periods (2500~1600 BC), which mention some clans specializing in breeding "dragons" during the Yu (虞) and Xia (夏) Dynasties, combined with the discovery of dragon and alligator images from the Xia and Shang Dynasties, we believe that society at that time viewed Yangtze alligators as the manifestation of "dragons." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]