*Neolithic East Asia

Why an Agricultural Revolution?

Independently invented in Middle East, Mesoamerica, and East Asia

Transitional Cultures

South China: Shangshan, ca. 8000 BCE

Lower Yangzi River region

Map

Semi-permanent camps

Gathered wild varieties of rice

What technologies were they developing?

Pottery

Grinding stones for acorns

Origins of Domestic Rice

Carbonized remains of rice

Wild to Domesticated varieties

Chart with timeline

Paddies, ca. 6000 BP (4000 BCE)

Rice is main crop, ca. 5000 BP (3000 BCE)

North China: Cishan-Peiligang, ca. 6500-5000 BCE

Yellow River region

Evidence of agriculture

Wild millet native to region

Tools

Evidence of farming or hunting?

Animal bones and artwork

Domesticated pig and dog

Wild animals and shells

True Neolithic Cultures

*Yangshao (ca. 4500-3000 BCE), North Central Plain

*Yangshao (ca. 4500-3000 BCE), Central Plain

Millet

Domesticated Dogs and Pigs

Painted Pottery culture

Tools

Was agriculture the only source of food?

Village life: Model of Banpo

What were the social and political structures?

Religion

What is the meaning of this burial?

Grave at Dawenkou

Late Neolithic cultures

Liangzhu (ca. 3300-2000 BCE), Lower Yangzi

Rice cultivation

Irrigation, ca. 3rd millennium

*Longshan (ca. 2500-1900 BCE), Central Plain

Larger, more permanent settlements

Walled communities

Millet farming

Dogs, pigs, cattle, and sheep

Greater variety of tools and pottery

*Taosi, Shanxi

2-3000 Graves

Of excavated graves: 6 large, 80 medium, 600 small

Phase I, 2300–2100 BCE

Phase II, 2100–2000 BCE

Phase III, 2000–1900 BCE

Discussion: Rawson 31-57, “Chap. 2: A Disrupted Banquet”

1. What remains of bones and artifacts were found buried in the vandalized Phase II tomb?

2. How does Rawson interpret the remains? Do you agree with her interpretation?