Work

Agricultural foundations of the Late Neolithic walled town at Fenghuangzui in central China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: During the Neolithic period, distinct agricultural patterns emerged in China, with millet farming dominating the north and rice farming the south, shaped by geographic and climatic differences. The Fenghuangzui earthen-walled town, located in the middle Hanshui River region—a transitional zone between northern and southern China, was occupied from the Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) to Meishan (4200–3900 cal BP) periods, reflecting cultural influences from both regions. This study analyzed plant macro-remains from Fenghuangzui, revealing intensive rice farming alongside micro-scale millet cultivation throughout these periods. This contrasts with the millet-dominated western middle Hanshui River region and the northern region’s mixed system with a stronger emphasis on rice. The findings shed light on the agricultural foundation of Neolithic wall towns in the middle Hanshui River region and promote understanding of cultural interactions and farming practices in this transitional zone.

Source: npj Heritage Science

DOI: 10.1038/s40494-025-01772-1

Authors: Xinyu Huang, Tengfei Wu, Peiyan Fan, Yuhua Hu, Xiyun Yu, Xin Wang

Institution: Wuhan University

Language: English

Topic: Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Key Research and Development Program of China