Abstract:

In this paper, stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen was carried out on human bones from the Zhongjialiangzi site, in order to reveal the dietary structure and subsistence economy of the ancestors of the site. Combined with relevant research, the economic pattern and adaptation strategies of the ancestors in the middle and lower reaches of the Jinsha River from the late Neolithic period to the Bronze Age were explored. The results showed that the δ¹³C value range of the ancestors of Zhongjialiangzi site was -18.4‰~-10.0‰, and the δ¹⁵N value range was 4.76‰~12.63‰, indicating that C₃ and C₄ foods accounted for a certain proportion in their food structure, and their trophic levels were high. It is worth noting that with the change of time, the distribution range of the δ¹³C value of the ancestors gradually decreased, and the δ¹⁵N value also had a tendency to decrease, which may be related to the further development of agricultural economy. Furthermore, there were differences in diets between different genders, ages and burial groups, it may be related to their status and role in society, or to the movement of people. In addition, the δ¹⁵N values were significantly higher in subadults than in adults, which may be related to breastfeeding and suggest that the ancestors of the site were cared for by adults in their early years. Combined with the local natural environment and relevant archaeological achievements, the ancestors of the Zhongjialiangzi site may have mainly engaged in rice and millet mixed agriculture, which was supplemented by collecting wild plants. The use of animal resources is diverse, fishing, hunting and livestock breeding all played an important role. Through further combing of the subsistence economy in the middle and lower reaches of the Jinsha River, it is found that from the late Neolithic period to the Bronze Age, the agricultural structure of the area was mainly mixed with rice and millet. Compared with the rice-based agriculture in the Anning River Basin and the agricultural structure of rice, wheat and millet mixed cropping around Fuxian Lake, the agricultural structure of this area had its own uniqueness. Furthermore, a small amount of soybeans and wheat began to be cultivated as supplements in the Bronze Age, indicating that the ancestors became more flexible and diversified in the use of plant resources. In addition, there are great differences in the agricultural structure of different sites, which may be caused by environmental differences in different regions, and may also be affected by factors such as topographic barriers and cultural traditions.

Key words: Jinsha River, human bones, stable isotope, diet, subsistence economy