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Modelling the Geographical Origin of Rice Cultivation in Asia Using the Rice Archaeological Database.

Authors :
Silva, Fabio
Stevens, Chris J.
Weisskopf, Alison
Castillo, Cristina
Qin, Ling
Bevan, Andrew
Fuller, Dorian Q.
Source :
PLoS ONE; 9/1/2015, Vol. 10 Issue 9, p1-21, 21p
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

We have compiled an extensive database of archaeological evidence for rice across Asia, including 400 sites from mainland East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. This dataset is used to compare several models for the geographical origins of rice cultivation and infer the most likely region(s) for its origins and subsequent outward diffusion. The approach is based on regression modelling wherein goodness of fit is obtained from power law quantile regressions of the archaeologically inferred age versus a least-cost distance from the putative origin(s). The Fast Marching method is used to estimate the least-cost distances based on simple geographical features. The origin region that best fits the archaeobotanical data is also compared to other hypothetical geographical origins derived from the literature, including from genetics, archaeology and historical linguistics. The model that best fits all available archaeological evidence is a dual origin model with two centres for the cultivation and dispersal of rice focused on the Middle Yangtze and the Lower Yangtze valleys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
10
Issue :
9
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
109205272
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137024