Acta Anthropologica Sinica >

2024 , Vol. 43 >Issue 03: 405 - 414

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0064

Research Articles

C and N stable isotopes of human remains from the Xiazhai site of Xichuan, Henan Province

  • ZHOU Ligang ,
  • CAO Yanpeng ,
  • CHU Xiaolong ,
  • SUN Lei
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  • 1. Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Zhengzhou 450000
    2. Henan Provincial Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation, Zhengzhou 450000

Received date: 2023-04-14

  Revised date: 2023-06-29

  Online published: 2024-06-04

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Abstract

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human remains from the Xiazhai site revealed dietary features of pre-history populations dated to different periods. The Late-Yangshao individuals (δ13C=-10.2±1.4‰, δ15N=9.4±0.5‰, n=19) ate a millet-based diet similar to that of the contemporary people on the Central Plains. On the same site, the Shijiahe people (δ13C=-13.6±2.1‰, δ15N=9.5±0.9‰, n=28) ate both millet and rice, and their dietary features displayed evident variation because of the different nitrogen isotopic features between rice and dry crops. Millet played the role of main staple food again during the Late-Longshan and Erlitou period (mean δ13C=-9.9±1.2‰, n=21). These results indicate that cultural transition had significantly affected the local agricultural system and human diet. The changing roles of millet and rice also reflect the alternating influences from the Yellow River culture and the Yangtze River culture.

Key words： Xichuan Xiazhai; Yangshao; Shijiahe; Longshan; stable isotope analysis

Cite this article

ZHOU Ligang , CAO Yanpeng , CHU Xiaolong , SUN Lei . C and N stable isotopes of human remains from the Xiazhai site of Xichuan, Henan Province[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2024 , 43(03) : 405 -414 . DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0064

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