Agricultural development and human diets in Gouwan site, Xichuan, Henan

Abstract

This paper undertook the C and N stable isotopic analysis of human bones unearthed at the Gouwan site in Xichuan, Henan, to reveal the human diets and to explore the lifestyle of humans and the development of rice and millet agriculture. The contribution of rice to human diets was almost equal to that of millet in this site though millet agriculture is the traditional economic model for the middle Yellow River Valley. On the other hand, the comparison of C and N stable isotopes in different cultural periods clearly indicates changes in millet and rice agriculture. Humans mainly depended on agriculture and gathering in the Yangshao Culture I. Millet agriculture, livestock rearing, and fishing were enhanced in the Yangshao Culture II. Millet agriculture and animal husbandry developed steadily in the Yangshao Culture III. After that the mixed rice and millet agriculture developed further. In addition, rice agriculture spread to the north in the climate suitable for cultural exchanges between north and south in the Yangshao Culture phases. In the Qujialing Culture period, under a colder climate, the rice farming was not dominant, though the Qujialing Culture played a key role in the site.