Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T22:52:21.692Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Meat-acquisition patterns in the Neolithic Yangzi river valley, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Yuan Jing ,
Rowan Flad  and
Luo Yunbing
Yuan Jing
Affiliation:
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of Archaeology, 27 Wangfujing St., Beijing 100710, China
Rowan Flad
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Department of Anthropology, 11 Divinity Ave., Peabody Museum 57G, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA (Email: [email protected])
Luo Yunbing
Affiliation:
Wuhan University, Department of Archaeology, Luojiashan, Wuhan city, Hubei province, 430072, China
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

The authors provide an overview of animal exploitation in the Chinese Neolithic, emphasising regional differences in meat procurement strategies. While the Yellow river peoples turned from hunting wild animals to the rearing of pigs, dogs, sheep and cattle during the Neolithic, the peoples of the Yangzi valley continued to rely on an abundant supply of wild creatures into their Bronze Age. Their staples were deer, fish and birds and there was a special relationship with fish that extended even to the grave.

Keywords

ChinaNeolithicYellow riverYangzi riverfaunal remainszooarchaeology
Type
Research article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 82 , Issue 316 , June 2008 , pp. 351 - 366
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andersson, J. G. 1934. Children of the yellow earth: studies in prehistoric China. New York: The McMillan Company.Google Scholar
Boaz, N. T. & Ciochon, R. L.. 2004. Dragon Bone Hill: an Ice-Age saga of Homo erectus. Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cao, W. 2004. Sanxia kuqu Zigui Shimenzui yizhi chutu yu bugu jianding baogao (Report on the identification of oracular fish bones from the site of Shimenzui in Zigui in the Three Gorges reservoir zone). Kaogu Xuebao [Acta archaeologica sinica] 2004(1):449–50.Google Scholar
Chang, K.-C. 1986. The archaeology of ancient China. New Haven (CT): Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Chen, Q. 2006. Zhengzhou Xishan yizhi chutu dongwu yicun yanjiu (Research on the faunal remains excavated from the Xishan site in Zhengzhou). Kaogu Xuebao [Acta archaeologica sinica] 2006(3):385–418.Google Scholar
Chen, Q. & Wang, S.. 2004a. Weiganpin Daixi wenhua yizhi dongwu yicun yanjiu (Animal remains from the Weiganping site of the Daixi culture), in Chen, Q. & Wang, S. (ed.) Qingjiang liuyu gu dongwu yicun yanjiu (Ancient animal remains in the Qing River valley): 49–85. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Chen, Q. 2004b. Xisiping Daixi wenhua yizhi dongwu yicun yanjiu (Animal remains from the Xisiping site of the Daixi culture), in Chen, Q. & Wang, S. (ed.) Qingjiang liuyu gu dongwu yicun yanjiu (Ancient animal remains in the Qing River valley): 85–102. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Chen, Q. 2004c. Shazui Daixi wenhua yizhi dongwu yicun yanjiu (Animal remains from the Shazui site of the Daixi culture), in Chen, Q. & Wang, S. (ed.) Qingjiang liuyu gu dongwu yicun yanjiu (Ancient animal remains in the Qing River valley): 102–15. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Cheng, T. 1957. Archaeological studies in Sichuan. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Chow, B. & Grigson, C.. 1984. Animal domestication in Neolithic China, in Clutton, J.-Brock (ed.) Animals and archaeology 3– Early herders and their flocks (British Archaeological Reports International Series 202): 363–70. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.Google Scholar
Fiskesjö, M. & Chen, X.. 2004. China before China: Johan Gunnar Andersson, Ding Wenjiang, and the discovery of China's prehistory. Stockholm: Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities.Google Scholar
Flad, R. K. 2004. Specialized salt production and changing social structure at the prehistoric site of Zhongba in the eastern Sichuan Basin, China. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of California.Google Scholar
Flad, R. K. 2005. Salting fish and meat in the prehistoric Three Gorges: zooarchaeology at Zhongba, China. Journal of Field Archaeology 30(3):231–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Flad, R. K. In press. Divination and power: a multi-regional view of the development of oracle bone divination in early China. Current Anthropology.Google Scholar
Flad, R. K. n.d. The oracle bones of Zhongba: divination at an early salt production site, in Li, S. & Falkenhausen, L. von (ed.) Salt archaeology in China: ancient salt production and landscape archaeology in the Upper Yangzi Basin (Studies of Zhongba Volume 3). Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Flad, R. K. & Yuan, J.. 2006. Chongqing Zhongxian Zhongba yizhi dongwu yicun de yanjiu (Study of the faunal remains from the Zhongba Site in Zhongxian County, Chongqing). Kaogu 2006 (1):79–88.Google Scholar
Flad, R. K., Yuan, J. & Li, S.. 2007. Zooarchaeological evidence for animal domestication in Northwest China, in Madsen, D. B., Chen, F. & Gao, X. (ed.) Late Quaternary climate change and human adaptation in arid China: 163–99. Amsterdam: Elsevier.Google Scholar
Fu, Y. 2000. Shaanxi Fufeng Anban yizhi dongwu yicun de yanjiu (Investigation of the animal remains from the Anban site in Fufeng, Shaanxi), in Xibei Daxue Wenboxueyuan Kaogu Zhuanye (ed.)Fufeng Anban yizhi fajue baogao (Report on the excavations of Anban in Fufeng): 290–4. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Fuller, D.QHarvey, E. & Qin, L.. 2007. Presumed domestication? Evidence for wild rice cultivation and domestication in the fifth millennium BC of the Lower Yangtze region. Antiquity 82: 316–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grayson, D. K. 1973. On the methodology of faunal analysis. American Antiquity 38(4):4 32-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grayson, D. K. 1979. On the quantification of vertebrate archaeofaunas, in Schiffer, M. B. (ed.) Advances in archaeological method and theory , Volume 2: 199–237. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Grayson, D. K. 1984. Quantitative zooarchaeology: topics in the analysis of archaeological faunas. Orlando: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Guojia (Guojia Wenwuju Sanxia Gongzuodui). 1989. Hubei Zigui Chaotianzui yizhi fajue jianbao (Preliminary report on the excavations at Chaotianzui in Zigui, Hubei). Wenwu 1989(2):32–40.Google Scholar
Guojia, 2001. Chaotianzui yu Zhongbaodao (Chaotianzui and Zhongbaodao). Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Guoyu (Narrative on the States). 1982. Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe.Google Scholar
He, J. 1982. Shilun Daixi wenhua (Discussing the Daixi culture), in Zhongguo kaogu xuehui di er ci (1980) nianhui lunwenji (Proceedings of the second (1980) meeting of the Chinese Archaeological Congress): 116–23. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Hu, S. & Li, B.. 2006 Zhongguo Baoji Guantaoyuan xinshiqi yizhi zhong faxian de Jinsihou tougu ji qi yiyi (The golden monkey cranium from the Neolithic site of Guantaoyuan in Baoji, China and its significance). Shoulei xuebao [Acta theriologica sinica] 26(4):417–20.Google Scholar
Hubei [Hubei Sheng Bowuguan Sanxia Kaogudui Di San Zu]. 1989. Yichang Zhujiatai yizhi shijue (Trial excavations at the Zhujiatai site in Yichang). Jianghan kaogu [Jianghan Archaeology] 1989(2):22–8.Google Scholar
Hubei 1995. Hubei Qingjiang Xianglushi yizhi de fajue (Excavations at the Xianglushi site on the Qingjiang River in Hubei). Wenwu [Cultural Relics] 1995 (9):4–28.Google Scholar
Hunan (Hunan Sheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo). 2006. Pengtoushan yu Bashidang (Pengtoushan and Bashidang). Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Jia, L. & Huang, W.. 1990. The story of Peking Man: from archaeology to mystery. Beijing & Hong Kong: Foreign Language Press; Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Jilin, & Hubei, [Jilin Daxue Bianzang Kaogu Yanjiu Zhongxin and Hubei Sheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo]. 2004. Hubei Zigui Shimenzui yizhi fajue (Excavations at the Shimenzui site in Zigui, Hubei). Kaogu Xuebao [Acta Archaeologica] 2004 (4):419–48.Google Scholar
Li, T. 2001. Yidu Chengbeixi yizhi nanqu chutu de dongwu yihai jiandingbiao (The table of identified animal remains found in the south borough of the Chengbeixi site in Yidu County), in Hubeisheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo (ed.) Yidu Chengbeixi (The Chengbeixi site in Yidu County): 291. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Li, W. 1986. Daixi wenhua de leixing he fenqi (The types and phases of the Daixi culture). Kaogu xuebao 1986 (2): 131–52.Google Scholar
Li, Y. & Han, D.. 1959. Shaanxi Xi'an Banpo xinshiqi shidai yizhi zhong zhi shoulei guge (Animal bones from the Neolithic site of Banpo in Xi'an, Shaanxi) Gu jizhui dongwu yu gurenlei 1(4): 173–85.Google Scholar
Lin, X. 1980. Daixi wenhua yu Wushan Daixi yizhi (The Daixi culture and the Daixi site), in Zhongguo kaogu xuehui di er ci (1980) nianhui lunwenji (Proceedings of the second (1980) meeting of the Chinese Archaeological Congress): 124–32. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Liu, L. 2004. The Chinese Neolithic: trajectories to early states. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Liu, L., Yan, Y. & Qin, X.. 2001. Shaanxi Lintong Kangjia Longshan wenhua yizhi 1990 nian fajue dongwu yicun (Faunal remains from the 1990 excavations at the Longshan site of Kangjia in Lintong, Shaanxi). Huaxia kaogu 2001 (1):3–24.Google Scholar
Lu, D. 1985. Lun Exi Daixi wenhua (Discussing the Daixi culture in Western Hubei). Jianghan kaogu 1985 (1):71–6.Google Scholar
Luo, Y., Yuan, J. & Yang, M.. n.d. Jiahu yizhi di qi ci fajue dongwu yicun yanjiu baogao (Research report on the faunal remains from the seventh season of excavations at the Jiahu site), in Zhang, J. (ed.) Wuyang Jiahu, di er ben (Jiahu in Wuyang, Volume 2). Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Lee, Lyman R. (1987). Archaeofaunas and butchery studies: a taphonomic perspective, in Schiffer, M. B. (ed.) Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory: 249–306. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Ma, X. 2007. Henan Lingbao Xipo yizhi dongwuqun ji xiangguan wenti (The faunal assemblage from the Xipo site in Lingbao, Henan and related issues). Zhongyuan wenwu (Cultural relics of the Central Plains) 2007 (4): 48–61.Google Scholar
Meng, H. 1992. Lun Daixi wenhua (Discussing Daixi culture). Kaogu xuebao 1992(4):393–412.Google Scholar
Nelson, N. C. n.d. Journal of the Central Asiatic Expedition to the Yangtse River Gorges Region. New York: American Museum of Natural History.Google Scholar
Qi, G. 1988. Jiangzhai xinshiqi shidai yizhi dongwuqun de fenxi (Analysis of the faunal assemblage from the Neolithic site of Jiangzhai), in Bowuguan, Xi'an Banpo, Yanjiusuo, Shaanxi Sheng Kaogu & Bowuguan, Lintong Cun (ed.) Jiangzhai - Xinshiqi shidai yizhi fajue baogao (Report on the excavations of the Neolithic site of Jiangzhai): 504–38. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Reitz, E. J. & Wing, E. S.. 1999. Zooarchaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Ringrose, T. J. 1993. Bone counts and statistics: a critique. Journal of Archaeological Science 20(2): 121–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogers, A. R. 2000. Analysis of bone counts by maximum likelihood. Journal of Archaeological Science 27(2):111–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shisanjing zhushu (Notes and commentaries on the Thirteen Classics). 1979. Beijing: Zhoughua shuju.Google Scholar
Shaanxi, & Yulin, [Shaanxi Sheng Kaogu Yanjiusuo and Yulin Shi Wenwu Baohu Yanjiusuo] (2005). Shenmu Xinhua (Xinhua in Shenmu). Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Sichuan [Sichuan Changjiang Liuyu Wenwu Baohu Weiyuanhui Wenwu Kaogudui]. 1961. Sichuan Wushan Daixi xinshiqi shidai yizhi fajue jilue. Wenwu 1961(11):15–21.Google Scholar
Sichuan [Sichuan Sheng Bowuguan]. 1981. Wushan Daixi yizhi di san ci fajue (The third time excavation in Daixi site in Wushan County). Kaogu xuebao 1981(4):461–90.Google Scholar
Sichuan 1998. Wushan Daixi yizhi di san ci fajue [The third season of excavations of the Daixi site in Wushan], in Guojia Wenwuju Sanxia Gongcheng Wenwu Baohu Lingdao Xiaozu Hubei Gongzuozhan (ed.) Sanxia kaogu zhi faxian (Archaeological discoveries in the Three Gorges): 143–68. Wuhan: Hubei kexue jishu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Sun, Z. n.d. Hetao diqu Longshan shidai kaogu wenhua chubu yanjiu (Preliminary research on the Longshan period archaeology of the Hetao region). Xi'an: Xibei Daxue MA Thesis.Google Scholar
Teilhard de Chardin, P. & Young, C. C.. 1930. Preliminary report on the Choukoutien fossiliferous deposit. Bulletin of the Geological Society of China 8: 173–202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Teilhard de Chardin, P. 1932. Fossil mammals from the Late Cenozoic of North China. Paaleontologica Sinica, Series C, 9:1–84.Google Scholar
Teilhard de Chardin, P. 1936. On the mammalian remains from the archaeological site of Anyang. Palaeontologica Sinica Series C, 12(1).Google Scholar
Wang, W. 1966. Jiangxi Wannian Xianrendong quanxinshi dongxue duiji (Notes on Holocene Xianrendong cave deposits in Wannian, Jiangxi). Gujizhui Dongwu Yu Gurenlei 7(3): 266–71.Google Scholar
Wang, X. & Cao, K.. 1987. Songze yizhi zhong de renlei he dongwu yihai (The human and animal remains from the Songze site), in Shanghaishi Wenwu Guanli Weiyuanhui (ed.) Songze (The Songze site): 108–14. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 1990. Changzhou Weidun xinshiqi shidai yizhi disici (1985) fajue chutu de dongwu yihai yanjiu (Research on the animal remains excavated during the fourth season (1985) at the Weidun site in the Changzhou City). Kaocha yu yanjiu (Survey and research): 20–30. Shanghai: Shanghai kexue wenxian chubanshe.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 2000. Qinpu Fuquanshan yizhi chutu de shougu (The animal bones excavated at the Fuquanshan site in the Qingpu County), in Shanghaishi Wenwu Guanli Weiyuanhui (ed.) Fuquanshan (The Fuquanshan site): 168–9. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Wang, Y. 1991. Zijing yizhi dongwuqun ji qi kaogu huanjing yiyi (The palaeoenvironmental significance of the faunal assemblage from the Zijing site), in Zhou Kunshu (ed.) Huanjing kaogu yanjiu (Environmental archaeology research): 96–9. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Wei, F. 1989. Zhejiang Yuyao Hemudu xinshiqi shidai yizhi dongwuqun (The fauna from the Neolithic site at Hemudu in Yuyao, Zhejiang). Haiyang chubanshe.Google Scholar
White, T. E. 1953. A method of calculating the dietary percentage of various food animals utilized by aboriginal peoples. American Antiquity 18(4):396–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, J. 1991. Longnan xinshiqi shidai yizhi chutu dongwu de chubu jianding (Preliminary identification report for the animal bones excavated at the Neolithic site of Longnan). Dongnan wenhua 1991 (3-4): 179–189.Google Scholar
Wu, X. 2003. Hubei Zigui Liulinxi yizhi dongwuqun yanjiu baogao, (Report on the faunal assemblage from the Liulinxi site in Zigui, Hubei), in Guowuyuan Sanxia Gongcheng Jianshe Weiyuanhui & Guojia Wenwuju (ed.) Zigui Liulinxi (The Liulinxi site of Zigui County): 268–92. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Xi'an, B.B., Yanjiusuo, S. S. K. & Bowuguan, L. C.. 1988. Jiangzhai - Xinshiqi shidai yizhi fajue baogao (Report on the excavations of the Neolithic site of Jiangzhai). Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Xiang, X. 1983. Cong Guanmiaoshan yizhi kan Daixi wenhua de fenqi - Jianping muqian Daixi wenhua de ji zhong fenqi (Observations on the subdivision of the Daixi culture based on the Guanmiaoshan site - Considering the collective chronology of the Daxi culture to date). Jianghan kaogu 1983(3):68–79.Google Scholar
Xiang, X. & Huang, X.. 1995. Daixi wenhua (The Daixi culture), in Yang, B. (ed.) Hubei kaogu faxian yu yanjiu (Archaeological discoveries and research in Hubei): 26–43. Wuhan: Wuhan daxue baoshe.Google Scholar
Xibei [Xibei Daxue Wenboxueyuan Kaogu Zhuanye]. 2000. Fufeng Anban yizhi fajue baogao (Report on the excavations of Anban in Fufeng). Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Xu, Z. 1990. Lun Daixi wenhua (Discussing Daixi culture). Nanfang minzu kaogu 3: 213–36.Google Scholar
Xu, Z. 1997. Shilun Daixi wenhua de bianqian (Discussing the boundaries of the Daixi culture). Sichuan wenwu 1997(1):9–14.Google Scholar
Yan, W. 1999. Neolithic settlements in China: latest finds and research. Journal of East Asian Archaeology 1(1-4): 131–48.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. 1999. Lun Zhongguo xinshiqi shidai jumin huoqu roushi ziyuan de fangshi (Man's meat-acquiring patterns in Neolithic China). Kaogu xuebao 1999(1):1–22.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. (M. Fiskesj¨o, Trans.). 2002a. The formation and development of Chinese zooarchaeology: a preliminary review. Archaeofauna 11: 205–12.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. 2002b. Dongwu (The animal), in Shanghaishi Wenwu Guanli Weiyuanhui (ed.) Maqiao (The Maqiao site): 347–69. Shanghai: Shanghai shuhua chubanshe.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. 2003. Miaoping yizhi dongwu guge yanjiu baogao (Research report on animal bones found at the Miaoping site), in Hubeisheng Wenwu Shiye Guanliju & Hubeisheng Sanxia Gongcheng Yiminju (ed.) Zigui Miaoping (The Miaoping site of Zhigui County): 302–7. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. & Flad, R.. 2002. Pig domestication in ancient China. Antiquity 76: 724–32.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. & Yang, M.. 2004. Dongwu yanjiu (Faunal analysis), in Zhejiang Sheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo & Xiaoshan Bowuguan (ed.) Kuahuqiao (Kuahuqiao): 241–70. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Yuan, J., Yang, M., Tao, Y. & Luo, Y.. 2006. Dongwu yanjiu (Research on animals), in Guowuyuan Sanxia Gongcheng Jianshe Weiyuanhui & Guojia Wenwuju (ed.) Badong Nanmuyuan (The Nanmuyuan Site in Badong, Hubei): 139–58. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zdansky, O. 1928. Die S¨augetiere der Quat¨arfauna von Choukoutien. Palaeontologica Sinica, Series C, 5:1–146.Google Scholar
Zhang, M. 1981. Luojiajiao yizhi de dongwuqun (The faunal assemblage of the Luojiajiao site), in Zhejiangsheng wenwu yanjiusuo xuekan: 43–51. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, Q. 2006. Xunyi Xiaweilao yizhi dongwu yihai jianding baogao (Report on the identification of animal remains from the Xiaweilao site in Xunyi), in Xibei Daxue Wenhua Yichan yu Kaoguxue Yanjiu Zhongxin and Shaanxi Sheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo (ed.) Xunyi Xiaweilao (Xiaweilao in Xunyi): 546–8. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, Y., Zhou, C., Yan, Y. & Yin, S.. 2004. Shaanxi Lintong Lingkoucun wenhua yizhi jizhui dongwu yihai (The remains of vertebrates from the Linkoucun culture site in Lintong, Shaanxi), in Shaanxi Sheng Kaogu Yanjiusuo (ed.) Lintong Lingkoucun (The Lingkoucun site in Lintong): 525–33. Xian: San Qin chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, Z. 1982. Shilun Daixi wenhua (Discussing the Daixi culture). Jianghan kaogu 1982(1): 66–71.Google Scholar
Zhao, Z. 2005. Youguan Zhongguo nongye qiyuan de xinziliao he xinsikao (New data for study on the origins of agriculture in China), in Zhongguo Shehui Kexueyuan Kaogu Yanjiusuo (ed.) Xinshijie de Zhongguo kaoguxue (Chinese archaeology in the new century): 86–101. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhonguo, & Shaanxi, (Zhongguo Kexueyuan Kaogu Yanjiusuo & Shaanxi Sheng Xi'an Banpo Bowuguan). 1963. Xi'an Banpo: Yuanshi shizu gongshe juluo yizhi (Banpo in Xi'an: a primitive society settlement site). Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhejiang, & Xiaoshan, (Zhejiang Sheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo & Xiaoshan Bowuguan), 2004. Kuahuqiao (Kuahuqiao). Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe.Google Scholar