Agricultural and animal husbandry practices at the Zijingshanlu site of the early Shang capital city in Zhengzhou, China: Stable isotope analysis of human and animal bones

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of human and animal bones from the Zijingshanlu site in Zhengzhou Shang City reveal significant dietary diversity. The majority of the population primarily consumed C₄ foods, while a few individuals exhibited a mixed or C₃-based diet. This diversity not only reflects individual lifestyles but also underscores cultural interactions and the absorptive effects within Zhengzhou, the political center of the early Shang dynasty. Additionally, the varied animal diets indicate differentiated husbandry strategies, emphasizing the resource diversity and organizational control. The complex demographics and cultural richness of the city provide valuable insights into diet, resource utilization, and regional interactions in Shang society. Stable isotope analysis further demonstrates the continuity of livelihood strategies, changes in resource consumption, and ongoing population dynamics, offering key insights into the subsistence economy of the period.