The subsistence patterns of the Shengedaliang site (~4,000 yr BP) revealed by stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in northern Shaanxi, China

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• 作者：XiangLong Chen ; XiaoNing Guo ; WeiLin Wang ; SongMei Hu…
• 关键词：Northern Shaanxi ; 4 ; 000 yr BP ; Shengedaliang ; Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ; Subsistence patterns
• 刊名：Science China Earth Sciences
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：February 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：60
• 期：2
• 页码：268-276
• 全文大小：
• 刊物主题：Earth Sciences, general;
• 出版者：Science China Press
• ISSN：1869-1897
• 卷排序：60

文摘

In order to explore subsistence patterns in northern Shaanxi Province around 4,000 yr BP, 28 human and 24 animal bones from the Shengedaliang site were sampled for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis. The results show that most people primarily subsisted on C₄ resources, e.g. millet and millet-related animal products, despite the fact that there was some intake of C₃ plants by some individuals. Stable nitrogen isotope values indicate that there were differences in meat consumption between individuals at the site. Pigs were mainly foddered with millet and millet byproducts, as well as some cattle, according to their high δ13C values. However, most cattle and the sheep/goats consumed wild C₃ plants at Shengedaliang. Our above findings indicates that subsistence patterns in northern Shaanxi around 4,000 yr BP were characterized by millet farming, while the grassland animal husbandry, e.g. cattle and sheep/goats raising, displayed very little contribution to local economy. The intensive millet farming in northern Shaanxi provided enough food for population growth, ensured the accumulation of wealth, and consequently accelerated social differentiation and complexity.