Sedentism and plant cultivation in northeast China emerged during affluent conditions

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218751
• Publication Date: 2019-07-18T17:31:02Z
• Authors: Gideon Shelach-Lavi; Mingyu Teng; Yonaton Goldsmith; Ido Wachtel; Chris J. Stevens; Ofer Marder; Xiongfei Wan; Xiaohong Wu; Dongdong Tu; Roi Shavit; Pratigya Polissar; Hai Xu; Dorian Q. Fuller
• Keywords: Niche construction; Mesolithic

The reasons and processes that led hunter-gatherers to transition into a sedentary agricultural way of life are fundamental unresolved question human history. Here we present results excavations two single-occupation early Neolithic sites (dated 7.9 7.4 ka) high-resolution archaeological surveys in northeast China, which capture the earliest stages sedentism millet cultivation second oldest center domestication Old World. coincided with significant wetter conditions north at 8.1–7.9 ka. We suggest these were an empirical precondition facilitated complex transitional process eventually China. Interestingly, plant followed different trajectories. cultural norms evolved rapidly, within few hundred years, find villages inhabiting landscape. However, domestication, progressed slowly over several millennia. Our evidence for beginning appear context already village (late Xinglongwa culture), half millennia after onset cultivation, even this phase domesticated plants animals rare, suggesting (sensu stricto) affluent areas might have not played substantial role societies.