摘要
More than ten neolithic cultural sites have been discovered in the eastern part of Jiang-Huai area, showing a cultural sequence consisting of the Longqiuzhuan culture, Dawenkou culture and Longshan (Yueshi) culture. The environment provided favorable conditions for the survival of aquatic animals, large mammals and plants and the settlement of human being. During the Yueshi cultural stage, the climate became mild and slightly dry, and the Jianghuai area was dominated by salt marshes under frequent tidal flooding, that forced the ancient residents to move away and caused the break of cultural records. It suggests that palaeoenvironmental changes is the main factor to the rise and decline of prehistoric cultures.