Starch grain analysis reveals Late Neolithic plant utilization in the middle reaches of the Ganjiang River

Abstract

Plant utilization is poorly known in South China as compared to North China. Fanchengdui, Zhuweicheng, Shinianshan, and Yinjiaping, which date back to 5-4 ka BP, are typical Neolithic sites located at the middle reaches of the Ganjiang River in Jiangxi Province. Due to the lack of systematic plant archaeological work, only rice straw and husk residues have been found in some archaeological sites in Jiangxi Province. Thirteen stone tools excavated from these sites were examined in this study. The results showed that among the plants utilized are Coix spp., Oryza spp., Vigna spp., plants from the tribe Triticeae, roots from some plants of Zingiberaceae, and other species of roots and tubers. More than 457 grains were retrieved from the 13 stone tools. The fact that Coix spp. were found in all stone tools suggests that these species were a major food source during the Neolithic era. In addition, 28 starch grains of Oryza spp. were found in 8 stone tools. The analysis also revealed that not only seeds of Gramineae but also those of Leguminosae, Zingiberaceae and other species of roots and tubers are among the plants utilized in the four Fanchengdui culture sites. These results indicate that ancient plant utilization was rather diverse, and this study elucidates the prehistoric agricultural systems of South China.