SUBSISTENCE ECONOMY IN THE LOWER REACHES OF HUAI RIVER DURING THE LATE NEOLITHIC AGE:BASED ON THE STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL BONES FROM THE ZHAOZHUANG SITE IN SIHONG COUNTY,JIANGSU PROVINCE
The lower Huai River region,located at the confluence of North and South China,is crucial for understanding the evolution of prehistoric agriculture and cultural exchange.In this study,we conducted stable isotope analysis(carbon,nitrogen,and oxygen)on collagen and bioapatite of 23 human bones and 45 animal bones selected from the Zhaozhuang site(33°34′13″N,118°9′53″E)in Sihong County,Jiangsu Province.This analysis provided insights into the dietary structure and subsistence economy of the late Dawenkou Culture in Zhaozhuang.Effective stable isotope data showed that deers(δ13Cco:-19.5‰,815N:6.4‰,n=1;δ13Cap:-8.3‰±1.2‰,n=4)primarily consumed C3 plants,indicating that a predominance composed of C3 plants in the local wild vegetation.Domestic animals,including pigs(δ13Cco:-14.5‰,δ15N:7.7‰,n=1;δ13Cap:-10.4‰±1.6‰,n=10),dogs(δ13Cco:-14.3‰±0.2‰,δ15N:8.2‰±0.9‰,n=2;δ13Cap:-11.9‰±1.7‰,n=3),and bovines(δ13Cco:-13.3‰,δ15N:5.3‰,n=1;δ13Cap:-8.6‰±1.0‰,n=5)all had mixed C3/C4 food structures,implying that they were supplemented with millet and/or its by-products.The lower δ13Cco values of humans(-19.2‰±0.5‰,n=4)revealed that majority of their protein intake derived from C3 sources.The δ13Cap values(-9.7‰±1.5‰,n=17)demonstrated a mixed energy source of both C3 and C4 foods,suggesting that ancestors also consumed a considerable amount of C4 foods,which could be attributed to the millet cultivation and livestock farming.Humans occupied a higher trophic level(δ15N:11.9‰±1.8‰,n=4)and consumed a substantial quantity of animal protein resources,with domestic pigs being a major meat source.Additionally,it is likely that the ancestors also engaged in fishing and hunting.The variation observed in δ18O values among the ancestors indicated that they lived in various ecological environments.Notably,individuals NKU777(δ18O:-11.8o)and NKU784(δ18O:-11.4o)exhibited significantly lower values compared to their counterparts(δ18O:-8.5‰±1.2‰,n=15).Combined with the analysis of their dietary patterns,it can be inferred that these two ancestors came from different geographical areas.Through a comparative analysis of the food structure and subsistence economy of Zhaozhuang and its neighboring sites,it can be concluded that both rice and millet played significant roles in the production and daily life of the Zhaozhuang people.During the late Neolithic period,it is possible that an agricultural planting system incorporating both rice and millet emerged in the lower Huai River region.This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the paleodiet of prehistoric humans in the Lower Huai River region.The findings of this study hold significant reference value for further exploration into the prehistoric human subsistence strategies in the Huai River Basin.
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