Wheat for food security in the bronze age: Archaeobotanical evidence from the Xichen Site, Eastern China

Abstract

Food security is a global concern for nations and populations alike. The broader application of archaeobotanical techniques to understanding past plant utilization has fueled scholarly discussions on the strategies used by different ancient civilizations worldwide to cope with food crises. However, food security strategies in the context of the Chinese Bronze Age are not well understood. In this paper, we utilize archaeobotanical remains and radiocarbon dates to examine a key site—Xichen in the suburb of the Lu City in the Qufu region during the Western Zhou period. The results indicate that wheat plantation increasingly contributed to the agriculture at the Xichen site, with wheat becoming the second most important crop after foxtail millet by the Western Zhou period. Also, whether at the Xichen site or in central China, the Haidai region of eastern China, and the Guanzhong region of western China, the increasing emphasis on wheat was a common phenomenon during this period. We suggest that the expansion of wheat production in Xichen was closely connected to social and political instability, an influx of new immigrants, and climate deterioration. Consequently, the Lu leaders adopted proactive measures to alleviate the pressures on food supplies and enhance political stability. The Zhou royal court used its strong political influence to promote intensive wheat cultivation, secure food supplies, consolidate its regime, and maintain social stability. Our findings highlight the necessity of regional studies within the context of archaeological culture, particularly in understanding how nations ensure food security and develop strategies under corresponding conditions.