GU Wei-Wei, ZHU Cheng
This paper discusses the spatial-temporal distribution of Neilithic sites and the relation with environmental variation, that is, climate and sea level change in North Jiangsu Province.Since the 1980s, Chinese scholars have made a lot of research on the relation between the spatial-temporal distribution of Neilithic sites and the Holocene sediment stratum,transgression, coast evolution,and get lots of achievements.However, the correlative research on the spatial-temporal distribution of archaeological sites, stratigraphy and micropaleontology are few.North Jiangsu Province, the most important part of Jiangsu Plain, has vast area, dense river, warm climate, abundant rain fall, and is one of areas with the clear-cut prehistoric culture series and prevailing Neolithic culture during 7.0-4.0 ka B.P.based on many archaeological finds.The Neolithic culture series that includes Qingliangang culture, Liulin culture, Dawenkou culture and Longshan culture has been established basically.There are 58 culture sites in total in North Jiangsu Province.The number of Qingliangang culture sites reaches 18, accounting for 31.0% of total sites.The number of Liulin culture sites is 9, being 15.5% of total number of culture sites.The number of Dawenkou and Longshan culture sites is 8 and 23 respectively.Qingliangang culture sites are mainly located on the plain from Siyang to Lianshui along the abandon Yellow River.Liulin culture sites are mainly located on Lianshui, Pixian, Gaoyou and so on, and there is no culture sites found around Hongze Lake, Liulin culture sites decreased sharply.Dawenkou and Longshan culture sites are mainly located on the west of Lianyungang, Shuyang and Sihong, the number of culture sites increased greatly.The distribution of prehistoric culture sites is limited by environment, and has internal and exterior law.According to correlative research on the spatial-temporal distribution and geomorphology, the authors draw the conclusions as follows: The distribution of above culture sites has close relation with climate and sea level change.Prior to 7000 a B.P., the largest Holocene transgression invaded North Jiangsu coastland, so there are no Neolithic sites found in this area.During 7.0-6.5 ka B.P., the climate was warm and wet, Qingliangang culture become flourishing, the archaeological sites are mainly located on the land, where does not be affected by Holocence transgression.During 7.0-6.5 ka B.P., terrestrial area reduced and the number of Liulin culture sites decreased sharply, it indicated the arrival of Holocence high sea level around 5.5 ka B.P.in North Jiangsu Province.During 4.1-3.8 ka B.P., the climate was mild and dry, sea-level was fall-off and terrestrial area enlarged.Most of North Jiangsu area became dry land, it made Longshan culture developed well, the number of culture sites increased greatly.Therefore, the above variation of geomorphology evolution and hydrology affected succession of archaeological culture types greatly, that is, culture developed and number of sites increased with trend of transference to low lands owing to warm and dry climate and higher terrain suited to habitation.On the contrary, the warm and wet climate enlarged water area and went against the development of ancient culture showing few cultural sites.
