Beixin culture: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Archaeological culture in China}} |
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The '''Beixin culture''' ({{zh|c=北辛文化|p=Běixīn wénhuà}}, [[5300 BC|5300]]–[[4100 BC]]<ref name=Liu>{{cite book |last=Liu|first=Li|title=The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2004|pages=193–194|isbn=1139441701|url=http://books.google.co.il/books?id=lhT0Z4L4g-kC&pg=PA193&dq=beixin+culture&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dvheUvu0BsXOhAfF1oGACA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=beixin%20culture&f=false}}</ref>) was a [[Neolithic]] culture in [[Shandong]], [[China]]. It was the successor of the [[Houli culture]] ([[6500 BC|6500]]–[[5500 BC]]) and precursor of the [[Dawenkou culture]] ([[4100 BC|4100]]–[[2600 BC]]).<ref name=Hirst>{{cite web |last=Hirst|first=K. Kris|url=http://archaeology.about.com/od/bterms/g/beixin.htm |title=Beixin Culture|publisher=[[About.com]]|year=2013}}</ref> |
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{{Infobox archaeological culture |
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|name = Beixin culture |
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|map = Dawenkou_map.svg |
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|mapalt = |
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|altnames = |
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|horizon = |
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|region = [[Shandong]] |
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|period = [[Neolithic China]] |
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|dates = c. 5300 – c. 4100 BC |
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|typesite = |
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|majorsites = |
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|extra = |
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|precededby = [[Houli culture]] |
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|followedby = [[Dawenkou culture]] |
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|module = {{Chinese |
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|child = yes |
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|c = 北辛文化 |
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|p = Běixīn wénhuà |
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}} |
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}} |
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The '''Beixin culture''' (5300–4100 BC<ref name=Liu>{{cite book |last=Liu|first=Li|authorlink=Liu Li (archaeologist) |title=The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2004|pages=193–194|isbn=1139441701|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lhT0Z4L4g-kC&dq=beixin+culture&pg=PA193}}</ref>) was a [[Neolithic]] culture in [[Shandong]], [[China]]. It was the successor of the [[Houli culture]] (6500–5500 BC) and precursor of the [[Dawenkou culture]] (4100–2600 BC).<ref name=Hirst>{{cite web|last=Hirst|first=K. Kris|url=http://archaeology.about.com/od/bterms/g/beixin.htm|title=Beixin Culture|publisher=[[About.com]]|year=2013|access-date=2013-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050919040216/http://archaeology.about.com/od/bterms/g/beixin.htm|archive-date=2005-09-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Beixin culture contains the first example of [[dental ablation]] in China, a practice that became common in the Dawenkou.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Christine |editor1-last=Burnett |editor1-first=Scott E. |editor2-last=Irish |editor2-first=Joel D. |title=A World View of Bioculturally Modified Teeth |date=2017 |publisher=University Press of Florida |isbn=978-0-8130-5297-7 |page=93 |url=https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813054834.003.0007 |chapter=The Relationship between Intentional Dental Ablation and Hereditary Agenesis in Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age China|doi=10.5744/florida/9780813054834.003.0007 }}</ref> |
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The [[type site]] at Beixin was discovered in [[Tengzhou]], Shandong, China. The site was excavated from 1978 to 1979.<ref name=Liu /> |
The [[type site]] at Beixin was discovered in [[Tengzhou]], Shandong, China. The site was excavated from 1978 to 1979.<ref name=Liu /> |
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==Excavation findings== |
==Excavation findings== |
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Fifty sites from the culture were discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces. These show evidence of [[millet]] cultivation and [[ |
Fifty sites from the culture were discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces. These show evidence of [[millet]] cultivation and [[water buffalo]], pig, and chicken domestication.<ref name=Hirst /> The Beixin people fished for [[carp]] in the nearby river, hunted deer, and foraged for [[Pyrus pyrifolia|wild pears]], roots, and tubers.<ref name=Liu /> They made extensive use of [[hemp]] fibers to weave fabric for clothing, to make baskets, and for various forms of thread, twine and rope, including their fishing nets.<ref name=Allen>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sP-PN2StH2cC&q=%27%27The+Formation+of+Chinese+Civilization|first=Pingfang |last=Xu|title=The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2005|isbn=0-300-09382-9}}</ref> There is no evidence of hemp cultivation, but it grew wild in great abundance throughout the region. Small quantities of hemp seeds have been recovered, but archaeologists believe these were acquired as a food source rather than for planting.<ref name=Liu /> |
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Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular |
Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular. The Beixin people had separate housing and burial areas in the settlements, which was common for early Neolithic cultures. The houses and burial areas were clustered in small groups, which indicated a family or clan social structure in both life and death. Tools, weapons, and other articles buried with the dead as burial offerings, in the more recent grave sites, indicated the development of a type of early [[ceremonial burial]].<ref name=Liu /> |
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Examination of the remains indicates steady population growth over the history of the Beixin people, as well as a steady increase in lifespan, which suggests improvements in nutrition and health.<ref name=Allen /> Chemical analysis of the abundant pottery shards found at the sites indicates that pork and millet were the staples of the Beixin diet, supplemented by venison, chicken, eggs, and a plentiful assortment of fruits and vegetables. This represents a broadly varied and very nutritious diet by Neolithic standards.<ref name=Liu /> |
Examination of the remains indicates steady population growth over the history of the Beixin people, as well as a steady increase in lifespan, which suggests improvements in nutrition and health.<ref name=Allen /> Chemical analysis of the abundant pottery shards found at the sites indicates that pork and millet were the staples of the Beixin diet, supplemented by venison, chicken, eggs, and a plentiful assortment of fruits and vegetables. This represents a broadly varied and very nutritious diet by Neolithic standards.<ref name=Liu /> |
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==Artifacts== |
==Artifacts== |
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Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain. |
Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Neolithic cultures of China}} |
{{Neolithic cultures of China}} |
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[[Category:Archaeological cultures of East Asia]] |
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[[Category:Neolithic cultures of China]] |
[[Category:Neolithic cultures of China]] |
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[[Category:History of Shandong]] |
[[Category:History of Shandong]] |
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[[Category:6th-millennium BC establishments]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:02, 9 December 2024
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| Geographical range | Shandong | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Neolithic China | ||||||
| Dates | c. 5300 – c. 4100 BC | ||||||
| Preceded by | Houli culture | ||||||
| Followed by | Dawenkou culture | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 北辛文化 | ||||||
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The Beixin culture (5300–4100 BC[1]) was a Neolithic culture in Shandong, China. It was the successor of the Houli culture (6500–5500 BC) and precursor of the Dawenkou culture (4100–2600 BC).[2] The Beixin culture contains the first example of dental ablation in China, a practice that became common in the Dawenkou.[3]
The type site at Beixin was discovered in Tengzhou, Shandong, China. The site was excavated from 1978 to 1979.[1]
Excavation findings
[edit]Fifty sites from the culture were discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces. These show evidence of millet cultivation and water buffalo, pig, and chicken domestication.[2] The Beixin people fished for carp in the nearby river, hunted deer, and foraged for wild pears, roots, and tubers.[1] They made extensive use of hemp fibers to weave fabric for clothing, to make baskets, and for various forms of thread, twine and rope, including their fishing nets.[4] There is no evidence of hemp cultivation, but it grew wild in great abundance throughout the region. Small quantities of hemp seeds have been recovered, but archaeologists believe these were acquired as a food source rather than for planting.[1]
Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular. The Beixin people had separate housing and burial areas in the settlements, which was common for early Neolithic cultures. The houses and burial areas were clustered in small groups, which indicated a family or clan social structure in both life and death. Tools, weapons, and other articles buried with the dead as burial offerings, in the more recent grave sites, indicated the development of a type of early ceremonial burial.[1]
Examination of the remains indicates steady population growth over the history of the Beixin people, as well as a steady increase in lifespan, which suggests improvements in nutrition and health.[4] Chemical analysis of the abundant pottery shards found at the sites indicates that pork and millet were the staples of the Beixin diet, supplemented by venison, chicken, eggs, and a plentiful assortment of fruits and vegetables. This represents a broadly varied and very nutritious diet by Neolithic standards.[1]
Violent death, as revealed by examination of the remains, was relatively uncommon among the Beixin people compared with other Neolithic cultures. Death was almost always attributed to disease or the results of old age. This indicates that the Beixin were a peaceful culture, and not troubled by internal strife or conflicts with neighboring cultures.[1]
Artifacts
[edit]Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Liu, Li (2004). The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States. Cambridge University Press. pp. 193–194. ISBN 1139441701.
- ^ a b Hirst, K. Kris (2013). "Beixin Culture". About.com. Archived from the original on 2005-09-19. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ^ Lee, Christine (2017). "The Relationship between Intentional Dental Ablation and Hereditary Agenesis in Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age China". In Burnett, Scott E.; Irish, Joel D. (eds.). A World View of Bioculturally Modified Teeth. University Press of Florida. p. 93. doi:10.5744/florida/9780813054834.003.0007. ISBN 978-0-8130-5297-7.
- ^ a b Xu, Pingfang (2005). The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-09382-9.
