---

How prehistoric humans use plant resources to adapt to environmental change: A case study in the western Chinese Loess Plateau during Qijia Period

Authors An, Cheng-Bang; Li, Hu; Dong, Weimiao; Chen, Yufeng; Zhao, Yongtao; Shi, Chao

Journal HOLOCENE , APR 2014,4:24

DOI 10.1177/0959683613520259

Abstract Fossilized charcoals can document how prehistoric humans used wood resources. Here, we present a quantitative result of charcoal fossil records, compiled with archaeobotanical data of Qijia Culture (4.3-3.8 cal. kyr BP) in the western Chinese Loess Plateau, to study how prehistoric people used plant resources and adapted to their environment. The charcoal records showed that Quercus, Ulmus, Pyrus, Acer, Picea, Prunus, and Bambusoideae were abundant during the Qijia Period, implying a warmer and wetter environment at that time. It also clearly showed that Qijia people had a strong preference to select woods in their daily life. Quercus was the most favorable wood, and thus, it was found in all samples. Many fruit trees planted in the Chinese Loess Plateau today were found in charcoal records. These fruit trees were, during the Qijia Period, at least in the process of being domesticated. Qijia people expanded the scope of using plant resources, and many new crops appeared during that time. These results provide a new insight into economic management and human adaption strategies in the Neolithic Age.

Species covered 梨属 Pyrus 栎属 Quercus