Mapping Panlongcheng: New Work on the Type-Site of the Early Shang Period (1500–1300 BC) in Hubei Province, China

Xin Su,Chunhai Li,Qiushi Zou,Sanyuan Zhu,Changping Zhang,Shuchun Yao

doi:10.3390/land10101033

Abstract

Recent work at the early Shang period type site in Panlongcheng, Hubei Province, China, provides a new understanding of changes in the landscape and water environment over time. In the past few decades, the research at this site has obtained important results and shown progress in many aspects, but few scholars have discussed the geomorphological environment of Panlongcheng, especially the water environment. Researchers have long believed that the present-day environment and landscape of Panlongcheng are no different than during the early Shang period. However, recent archaeological discoveries indicate that there may still be some cultural remains underwater. Therefore, we used a combination of underwater surveys, drilling and digital mapping to expand our knowledge of the landscape of Panlongcheng during the early Shang period. This included mapping the lake basin using single-beam echo sounders and drilling to preliminarily observe the stratum and collect samples from underwater. We also conducted radiocarbon dating on the samples collected from the bottom of the lake. The results suggest that there might not have been a lake during the early Shang period. Therefore, the landscape and environment of Panlongcheng and other related issues should be reexamined. In addition, we hope the methods used in this study can provide a reference for related archaeological work in shallow water areas in inland China.

Highlights

As the most significant site in southern China (Figure 1) during the early Shang period (1500–1300 BC), Panlongcheng has attracted a great deal of attention from scholars since 1963
Some pottery sherds from the early Shang period were found in this layer at a depth of 0.5–1.1 m below the lake floor (Figure 8), and no remains from other periods were discovered
Through underwater survey and drilling, the cultural remains of the early Shang period under the modern silt layer of the lake basin have been found

Summary

Introduction

As the most significant site in southern China (Figure 1) during the early Shang period (1500–1300 BC), Panlongcheng has attracted a great deal of attention from scholars since 1963. During more than 50 years of archaeological work, a larger number of cultural remains have been unearthed, and related detailed and in-depth studies based on these remains have been conducted, including studies of bronze [1–5], jade [6,7], ceramic [8,9] and stone artifacts [10]. Many scholars believe that Panlongcheng may have been founded by the Shang people of the Central Plains and served as an outpost to acquire and control mineral resources because of the location of the site itself and the mineral resources in the surrounding area [15,20]. These assumptions and studies are inferred based on the present-day landscape and environment of the site. The settlement is adjacent to a lake that connects to external rivers, forming a very convenient water transportation system, which could link the surrounding small settlements and resources but could maintain smooth and fast communication with the Central Plains

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Discussion

Conclusion