Spatial Pattern of the Neolithic Cultural Sites in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Hanjiang River

Abstract

Using trend surface method, this Article discussed spatial processes of the Neolithic Sites i.e. Daxi culture (6.3 ~ 5.0 ka B.P.), Qujialing Culture (5.0~4.6 ka B.P.) and Shijiahe Culture (4.6~4.0 ka B.P.)in the middle and lower reaches of Hanjaing Rvier. The spatial evolution of the Neolithic culture expericenced two stages: (1) Diffusion stage. The Qujialing Sites were diffused towards upstream along the Hanjiang River and Yunshui River; (2)Gathering stage. The Shijiahe Cultural Sites were instead shrunk in the zone of Danjiang-Zaoyang-Yunshui belt. In relation to the Holocene climate and landscape change process, the paper suggested that the elevation of the sites above river be close to the changes and expansion of ancient floods and lake area. Therefore, it was believed that the temporal-spatial distribution of sites is mainly controlled by paleo-floods and lake-expanding, meanwhile social factors e.g. agricultural style and cultural integration also play important roles.