Phytolith analysis reveals crop structural changes from the late Peiligang to Shijiahe Cultural Periods (ca. 7.4–4.2 ka BP) at the Huangshan site in Nanyang Basin, Central China

Abstract

The Nanyang Basin is located in a traffic artery connecting the middle reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. It is a key region for investigating crop spread, population migration, and cultural exchanges between northern and southern China in prehistoric times. Owing to the lack of relevant plant archaeological materials, there remain many gaps in our understanding of the structural characteristics and evolution of crops from the Peiligang to Shijiahe culture (ca.9.0–4.2 ka BP) in this area. This study presents phytolith analysis of 53 soil samples from cultural layers, ash pits, and residential structures spanning the Peiligang to Shijiahe periods at the Huangshan site in the central basin, combined with AMS¹⁴C dating to reconstruct crop structure dynamics. Results indicate that in the late Peiligang period (ca.7.4–7.3 ka BP), rice (Oryza sativa) was the main crop, while the Early Yangshao to Shijiahe periods (ca.6.2–4.2 ka BP) witnessed mixed broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), rice, and foxtail millet (Setaria italica) utilization with temporal variability. The entire Yangshao period site presented a crop pattern dominated by broomcorn millet supplemented with rice and millet. However, from the early to the late Yangshao period (ca.6.2–5.6 ka BP), the proportion of broomcorn millet in the crop structure continued to increase, whereas that of rice decreased significantly. The Qujialing period saw rice resurgence as the primary crop, accompanied by reduced dryland crops reliance. Although dryland crops rebounded slightly during Shijiahe, rice maintained dominance. Notably, foxtail millet, though present since Early Yangshao, never became a staple. Intriguingly, phytolith data from distinct dwellings revealed differential crop preferences among residents, likely linked to Huangshan’s role as a jade-handicraft center. Integrating archaeological and archaeobotanical evidence across the Nanyang Basin, we propose that these agricultural shifts reflect the alternating cultural influences of middle Yellow River and middle Yangze River societies, compounded by climatic-environmental changes. This research significantly advances understanding of prehistoric crop structure evolution and its drivers in transitional ecotones, central China.