A man buried in China in the Early Neolithic era
The Early Neolithic period in China, particularly along the Amur River, represents a significant era in the East Asian Neolithic, marked by the transition from hunter-gatherer communities to more settled agricultural societies. This era, which generally dates back to around 7000 to 5000 BCE, is characterized by the development of early farming techniques, advancements in tool-making, and the establishment of permanent settlements.
Geography and Environment
The Amur River region, located in the northeastern part of China, features a diverse landscape with access to a rich variety of resources. The river itself, one of the longest in Asia, provided fertile alluvial soils, which were ideal for the cultivation of early domesticated plants. The surrounding areas included forested zones and grasslands, offering resources such as wood, game, and wild plants.
Subsistence and Agriculture
The shift from foraging to agriculture in this period was gradual, with communities adopting mixed economies. Early Neolithic people in this region began domesticating plants like millet and later rice, which became staple crops. Agriculture was supplemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering, allowing for a diverse diet. The domestication of animals such as pigs and chickens also began during this time, although their importance would increase in later periods.
Settlements and Architecture
Settlements of this era were typically small, consisting of semi-permanent villages with round or oval pit houses. These structures were dug partially into the ground, providing insulation against harsh weather. The use of wattle and daub techniques, where walls were constructed from woven lattice covered with clay or mud, was common. As communities grew, settlements became more complex, reflecting an increasing degree of social organization.
Tool-Making and Craftsmanship
The Early Neolithic period saw significant advancements in tool-making. Stone tools became more sophisticated, with polished axes, adzes, and sickles emerging to accommodate agricultural practices. The pottery of this era is notable for its functional design, often with simple decorations. These early ceramics indicate a developing understanding of firing techniques and artistic expression.
Social Structure and Culture
Although evidence of social hierarchy is limited, the emergence of more permanent settlements suggests some degree of social organization. Kinship likely played a central role in community life, guiding social interactions and resource distribution. Cultural practices included ritualistic and possibly shamanistic activities, indicated by burial customs and the presence of figurines or other symbolic artifacts found at archaeological sites.
Exchange and Interaction
While the Early Neolithic communities along the Amur River were relatively self-sufficient, there was some interaction with neighboring cultures. The exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies likely occurred along riverine routes and overland paths, facilitating the diffusion of innovations like agriculture and pottery.
Challenges and Adaptations
Environmental changes during the Early Neolithic period would have posed challenges, such as shifts in climate affecting crop yields and available resources. In response, these communities adapted their agricultural practices, diversified their subsistence strategies, and developed technologies to better exploit their surroundings.
In summary, the Early Neolithic period along the Amur River marks a crucial phase in the development of East Asian Neolithic societies. It encompasses the initial steps towards agriculture, more permanent settlement patterns, and technological innovation, setting the foundation for the complex cultures that would follow in later Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.
Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (NE45) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.
Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (NE45) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.
These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.
The G25 coordinates for the sample NE45 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.
NE45,0.02819566,-0.44439954,0.0369644,-0.05161896,-0.00028624,-0.00726942,0.00772408,0.00886032,-0.0019733,0.00870958,-0.04008086,-0.00581358,0.00819544,-0.00408018,-0.01102504,0.0002855,-0.00114504,-0.00119084,0.00787968,0.00593,0.01331808,-0.00760152,0.00012956,0.0037474,0.00617343
The deep population history of northern East Asia from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene
Northern East Asia was inhabited by modern humans as early as 40 thousand years ago (ka), as demonstrated by the Tianyuan individual. Using genome-wide data obtained from 25 individuals dated to 33.6-3.4 ka from the Amur region, we show that Tianyuan-related ancestry was widespread in northern East Asia before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). At the close of the LGM stadial, the earliest northern East Asian appeared in the Amur region, and this population is basal to ancient northern East Asians. Human populations in the Amur region have maintained genetic continuity from 14 ka, and these early inhabitants represent the closest East Asian source known for Ancient Paleo-Siberians. We also observed that EDAR V370A was likely to have been elevated to high frequency after the LGM, suggesting the possible timing for its selection. This study provides a deep look into the population dynamics of northern East Asia.