Analysis of the ecological environment around 10000 a BP in Zhaitang area,Beijing:A case study of the Donghulin Site

• 来源期刊: 科学通报(英文版)
• 学科: 历史
• 年，卷（期）: 2012,（4）
• 页码范围: 360-369
• 页数: 10页
• 分类号: K878.8
• 语种: 中文

摘要

The transition from Paleolithic to Neolithic around 10000 a BP was a significant event in human history. We have analyzed the paleoenvironment in the Zhaitang area (Beijing) based on samples from an early Neolithic site at Donghulin. This site is considered to demonstrate the Paleolithic-Neolithic transition in this area. The site yielded burials with several human skeletons, known as "Donghulin man". We conducted a geomorphological and quaternary geological investigation in the Donghulin area, and also analyzed sediments and pollen, enabling us to discuss the living environment of the local people. Donghulin man lived mainly from 11100-9600 cal a BP; a period of warming following the Younger Dryas. The climate was good, the land was covered by dry temperate grassland, and later, wet temperate meadow steppe. "Donghulin man" usually inhabited the floodplain; this was flat, warm, and wet, with abundant plants and animals for a favorable living environment. Our research helps to rebuild the living environment of humans in the Beijing area around 10000 a BP, and to understand more about the environmental setting in north China during the Paleolithic-Neolithic transition.