通过对周原全新世古土壤和关中新石器文化的研究,认为新石器文化对环境变化有积极的响应,但这种响应在时间上有一定的滞后,其中5800~5000a B. P.间的以干旱为特征的环境恶化是造成关中仰韶文化衰落最主要的原因;探讨了环境因素在新石器文化发展过程中的地位和作用,认为人类文化是地球表层系统的组成要素之一,其发展受到自然环境的约束。

A typical Holocence loess profile is observed at Zhouyuan in the Guanzhong basin. According to detailed studies of field features and laboratory, it indicates that the palaeosol S₀, normally associated with the Holoence Megathermal period, is separated into both the lower brown forest earth (S₀²) and the upper Luvic cinnamon soil by a thin loess layer(L_x) between 5800 and 5000 aB.P., normally associated with dry environmental conditions. The soil S₀ was a soil complex with two whole pedogenical processes. According to detailed data from a archaeology in China, Yangshao culture in Guanzhong area was at the height of power and splendour between 6000 and 5500 aB.P., but cleared decline from 5500 to 5000 aB.P. Comparisons between the Holocene environment change and the Neolithic culture development at that time in Guanzhong basin, as well as other area in China, we find that the Neolithic culture development clearly responded to the environmental changes. Forefathers had to migrate to other places to find new nutrition resources when environmental changes so very strong or abrupt that vegetations were destroyed entirely. But, it could boosted the development of Neolithic culture in some extents as environmental changes was small or slow to compel human invent and improve techniques to raise per unit yield to fit their needs in food. This paper discussesehe role and status of environmental conditions in the Neolithic culture development, and thinks that it could be primary fact that caused the remarkable degradation of the Neolithic culture or progress. The Neolithic culture development clearly responded to the environmental changes, but it always lagged behind environment change in time. Human and human activity, as an important factor of surface layer system of the earth, should be inhibited by the environment conditions.