華北における先史農業と景観
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概要
- 論文の詳細を見る
The attempt to reconstruct the landscape of North China in the Neolithic Age presents an interesting insight into its comparison with Central Europe of the same period. For Yang-shao Cultute in North China was formed between 4000 and 3000 B.C., while in Europe Danubian Culture was observed during the same period. Furthermore, in both cases settlements were founded on loess soil.As to the study of Cental Europe, it has already been clarified that forests were the main constituent of the landscape in the Neolithic Age. We could obtain a similar result through analytical researches on North China as well, for the following reasons.1) Some of the mammalian remains which were excavated at the ruins of the period from the Neolithic Age to the Yin Dynasty were attested of southern origin. It is assumed, therefore, that the climate of that age was warmar than that of today.2) Among the Divination Incriptions of the Yin Dynasty, we find several suggeesting divination of rain for each month, This indicates that in the region it rained more of ten than today.3) The results of pollen analysis are as follows: In the analysis of Pan-po site, it has been discovered that non-arboreal pollens were larger than arborel pollens in number. We cannot regard this result, however, as reflecting the vegetation of the time in question, because the samles used in the analysis were taken from the sandy soil. On the other hand, through the pollen analysis of Peking sites, arboreal pollens were found dominant, and forests consisting of mixed oak trees in that area. The existence of peat deposits was also proved, suggesting an expanse of swamps. All these discoveries correspond to the aforementioned assumption of climate.4) The antithetical expressions of ‘mountain’ and ‘swamp’ appearing in the verses of Shi-jing can also be considered to show that there once existed marshland in the loess region.For the reasons mentioned above, it is posible to assume that North China in the Neolithic Age was warmer and more humid than today, with a vast expanse of swamps and forests dominating its landscape.
- 人文地理学会の論文