Coastal regions played a key role in the emergence of Early Neolithic cultures. Fluctuating sea levels shaped prehistoric human migration, settlement patterns, and adaptation strategies. The lower reaches of the Min River in Fujian were a major centre of activity. During the Middle to Late Neolithic, marine communities such as the Keqiutou (6500–5500 cal. a BP) and Tanshishan (5500–4300 cal. a BP) cultures flourished. However, the scarcity of earlier remains has limited understanding of Early Neolithic life before 8000 cal. a BP. We dated stratigraphic layers at the newly excavated Niutoushan site using radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). OSL results indicate the site’s Neolithic culture layer between 9.3 ± 0.7 ka and 8.1 ± 0.5 ka, with radiocarbon dates clustering around 8300–7000 cal. a BP. Based on the younger bounds of the dating results and kernel density estimation, the Neolithic remains at the site are dated to approximately 8000–7000 cal. a BP, identifying Niutoushan as one of the earliest Neolithic sites in the region. Combined with sea-level reconstructions, the findings suggest that the rapid Early Holocene sea-level rise drove human migration along China’s eastern coast before 8000 cal. a BP. The Niutoushan culture was influenced by Neolithic cultures from northern coastal regions and potentially by those located to its south across the exposed Taiwan Strait from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Early Holocene. This points to complex interactions among Early Neolithic cultures in both northern and southern coastal China, warranting further investigation for validation.

The interaction between prehistoric humans and plant resources is key to understanding the origin and spread of agriculture. As a pivotal region for the transmission of East Asian continental cultures to the islands of Southeast Asia, the trajectory of rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation along the South China coast continues to be debated, largely due to the lack of direct evidence. This study employs micro-CT scanning to analyze Neolithic pottery sherds from the Hengyu site (6194-5582 cal a BP) in the lower Min River region of Fujian province. The findings reveal plant impressions composed primarily of rice chaff, accompanied by small quantities of minute weed seeds. The proportions of non-shattering rice spikelet bases (38%) and pedicels (33%) are significantly lower than those recorded in the contemporaneous lower Yangtze region. This indicates a lower degree of domestication and a delayed development of rice cultivation in this area. The findings suggest that within a mixed subsistence economy combining a broad-spectrum subsistence strategy with agriculture, the lag in rice domestication may have stemmed from the combined effects of low population pressure, a mobile lifestyle, and extensive rice management strategies. This pattern reflects a distinct prehistoric trajectory of rice cultivation in the coastal regions of South China. The study offers new evidence of localized agricultural adaptations in these areas and underscores the considerable potential of micro-CT scanning for advancing archaeobotanical research.

The chronology of the founding and abandonment of the Minyue State's capital (Chengcun Han City Site) is crucial for understanding the historical development of the Minyue State and the process of Sinicization in southern China. This study applied optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), thermoluminescence (TL), and single-grain (SG) dating techniques to sediment and burnt clay samples from the West City Gate (WCG) section and West Water Gate (WWG) section of Chengcun Han City Site. The single aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol and standardized growth curve (SGC) method were employed to determine depositional ages and evaluate the reliability of the dating approaches. Results indicate: (1) OSL ages from the WCG, 1.84 +/- 0.09 ka and 2.19 +/- 0.08 ka, correspond to the construction and destruction phases of the city gate, while OSL ages from WWG, 2.01 +/- 0.24 ka to 6.61 +/- 0.32 ka, reflecting sedimentation in the water gate and moat. (2) Consistent OSL, TL, and SG ages for burnt clay at WCG suggest a conflagration event, likely linked to warfare and site abandonment following forced migration, though abandonment appears slightly later than the recorded fall of the Minyue State. (3) Combined dating results and environmental indicators show changing sedimentary dynamics at WWG: between 7.0 and 4.0 ka, sedimentation was mainly climate driven; after 4.0 ka, human activity became dominant. The rise of the Minyue State promoted local production and cultural dissemination in the upper reaches of Min River.

Xiying is the earliest Neolithic site discovered on Haitan Island, located on the western side of the Taiwan Strait. The prehistoric cultural connection across the strait has long been a subject of scholarly interest. This report presents the combined results of the 2022-2025 excavations, which revealed extensive shell midden deposits, burials, possible stilt-style house structures, and associated activity areas. Among the most significant discoveries are the earliest human remains yet identified on the island, dating to c. 7400 BP, with possible evidence of intentional tooth removal. Pottery, lithic, faunal, and limited botanical evidence indicates a subsistence strategy focused mainly on fishing, hunting, gathering, and shellfish exploitation, while phytolith data suggest generally warm and humid conditions with freshwater wetland vegetation near the site. The excavations also indicate a preliminary degree of spatial differentiation, including the distribution of burials and a probable food-processing zone at the edge of the midden. These findings provide important new evidence for understanding early coastal lifeways and maritime adaptations along the Fujian coast and across the Taiwan Strait.

As a hallmark of early urbanism worldwide, moat systems represent sophisticated human adaptations to diverse hydrological environments. This study investigates the Chengcun Han City Site(late Qin-early Han period, 206BCE), a remarkably preserved vassal capital of the Minyue Kingdom in subtropical South China, to elucidate the dynamic interplay between anthropogenic modifications and fluvial processes in mountainous terrain. Combining cutting-edge optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating (employing an optimized SAR-SGC protocol for young sediments) with Landlab geomorphic modeling, we reconstruct the sedimentary evolution of this strategic moat system and its environmental context from the Pre-Qin to Han periods.Our multi-proxy analysis reveals three significant findings with global implications: First, the refined SAR-SGC dating method establishes a robust chronological framework for humid subtropical archaeological sites, addressing persistent challenges in dating young fluvial deposits across tropical regions. Second, sedimentological evidence demonstrates a Holocene transition from climate-controlled (early-mid Holocene) to anthropogenically-dominated (late Holocene) depositional regimes - a pattern echoing contemporaneous urban centers from Southeast Asian moated settlements to Roman frontier cities. Third, Landlab simulations quantitatively demonstrate that postabandonment landscape changes (similar to 2.0 ka) triggered accelerated siltation and floodplain expansion, mirroring the "legacy sediment" phenomena observed in post-urban landscapes globally, from Mesoamerica to the Mediterranean. This research advances our understanding of early urban resilience by: (1) providing the first quantitative assessment of human-induced geomorphic changes in a Chinese mountainous vassal state; (2) developing transferable methodologies for studying ancient hydraulic systems in humid environments; and (3) establishing comparative frameworks to examine how emergent states worldwide negotiated environmental constraints through landscape engineering. The findings particularly illuminate the critical yet understudied role of subtropical highland zones in global narratives of early state formation and decline.

Islands serve as essential corridors for early farmers migrating from the continental regions and engaging in seafaring. While the arrival of prehistoric farmers on these islands is well documented, the relationship between their crop cultivation practices and local environmental conditions remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study examines the origins and development of rice cultivation on Haitan Island using phytolith analysis and archaeological chronology. The findings indicate that rice farming commenced on the island by at least 7000 cal BP, thereby revising the previously established timeline of 6800 cal BP for early seafaring rice farmers from the South China Coast. Phytolith data from four archaeological sites demonstrate a gradual process of rice domestication, occurring at a slower rate than at contemporaneous sites in the lower Yangtze region, likely due to diverse subsistence strategies that reduced selection pressure on rice. Furthermore, the study reveals that the trajectory of rice agriculture on Haitan Island may closely correspond with mid-to late Holocene sealevel fluctuations, with periods of high occupation aligning with elevated sea levels and site abandonment coinciding with lower sea levels. This pattern, which differs from mainland trends, suggests that environmental constraints and multi-resource subsistence strategies influenced both the pace of rice domestication and technological innovation on the island. The research underscores the significance of environmental and geographical factors in shaping the development of early agriculture in coastal and island contexts.

Upland rice is a distinct ecotype of rice that does not require irrigation and is widely distributed in subtropical hilly areas. Research on the origin and dispersal routes of upland rice is limited; identifying their remains in archaeological sites can provide this critical information. In this study, analysis of phytolith morphotypes and assemblages, including the ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes and fish-scale decorations on rice bulliforms, was performed on 66 upland rice fields in southern China. Surface soil phytolith assemblages of upland rice fields were mainly composed of BILOBATE (37.1

The spread of agriculture and population from Mainland East Asia to the islands of Southeast Asia and Oceania was the last far-reaching prehistoric phenomenon in the Pan-Pacific region. However, archaeobotanical data examining whether and when early rice farmers occupied these islands is limited and thus contested. Thus, we performed phytolith, OSL and radiocarbon dating analyses of two Neolithic shell mound sites on Haitan Island on the South China Coast. The new dates were amalgamated with the results of earlier absolute dating studies, providing a chronology for these sites. Our results indicate that the two occupation peaks of the Keqiutou Culture centred between approximately 6800-6300 cal BP and 5800-5300 cal BP. Continuous rice phytolith records-including rice bulliforms-were observed in the Neolithic layers at the two sites. Moreover, rice bulliform phytoliths with >= 9 fish-scale decorations accounted for 41%, higher than the established standard for wild rice, suggesting that rice cultivation had already emerged at 6800 cal BP on Haitan Island and probably earlier. These findings provide the earliest evidence of rice cultivation on Haitan Island, adding evidence of the first farmers' sea voyages and colonisation of the South China Coast islands.

Late Neolithic cultures in the southeastern mountainous region of China were diverse and frequently interacted with surrounding areas. Understanding the emergence of agriculture and its relationship with the regional cultural background is crucial for comprehending the development of societies. This study combined detailed phytolith analysis with archaeological and historical data and examined Late Neolithic sites in the inland mountainous area of Fujian. The results revealed the presence of various rice phytoliths from the Niubishan to Maling period (5300-3800 cal BP), indicating that rice cultivation occurred in this region at least 5000 years ago. Furthermore, the earliest millet phytoliths emerged in the Upper Niubishan Culture layers 4500 years ago. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural development in this region. This study suggests that the emergence of rice and millet in the southeastern mountainous areas of China may be linked to interactions between prehistoric cultures in different regions. The initial emergence of rice at approximately 7500 cal BP likely spread from the lower Yangtze River along the coastal route. Between 5500 and 3500 cal BP, the gradual opening of land routes facilitated the southward dispersal of agriculture from the middle and lower Yangtze River, creating interconnected land and sea routes. This integration possibly led to the formation of a mixed rice-millet agricultural system that spread to Southeast Asia. Additionally, environmental factors, such as early to mid-Holocene sea level rise and mid to late Holocene drought, appear to have played a crucial role in the emergence and spread of agriculture in this region. Overall, These findings provide significant insights into the emergence, development, and dispersal of prehistoric agriculture and its relationship with cultural exchange and environmental changes in this region.

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of the world's largest alpine grassland ecosystems, and it has been influenced by both climate change and human activities during the late Holocene. However, the dominant driver of vegetation change in these grasslands, whether climate change or human activity, remains controversial, particularly on the southern Tibetan Plateau (STP). Here, we present a high-resolution phytolith record from the STP, which reveals the relatively stable long-term grassland composition during the past similar to 3,600 years. In addition, we used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the relative importance of seven potential drivers of grassland change on the STP over the past similar to 3,600 years: precipitation, temperature, atmospheric CO2 concentration, fire, human influence index (HII), cultivation and pastoralism activity. The results indicate that precipitation was the most important driver of changes in grassland composition, whereas the effect of human activities was limited. While our findings highlight the significant role of climate change in driving changes in alpine grassland composition, the increasing influence of human activities should be considered in future assessments.

Prehistoric island-type sites in coastal areas are highly influenced by marine hydrological changes due to their unique geographical settings. Haitan Island in South China is a key area for understanding the origins and dispersal of Austronesian civilization. Recent archaeological investigations have uncovered key Neolithic sites on the island, yielding a material record that offers a unique opportunity to address these questions. However, addressing the gaps in the absolute chronology of these sites and unraveling the dynamic processes of humanenvironmental evolution remain urgent research priorities. This study used Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating techniques to analyze pottery from Neolithic sites on Haitan Island, southeastern China, to establish a reliable chronology. Dating results (radiocarbon and pottery OSL) indicate that the Xiying, Jianhu, and Citanghoushan sites on Haitan Island date to the mid-Holocene (7.5-6.5 ka). These findings extend the temporal range of the Keqiutou culture (6.5-5.5 ka) in the Minjiang River lower reaches, highlighting its significance in regional archaeology. Comparing the chronology of Haitan Island sites with Holocene sea-level changes at the Minjiang River mouth reveals that ancient human activity was primarily concentrated there during the high sea-level stage from 7 to 6 ka. The terrace where the Keqiutou site group is currently situated provided an optimal habitat for ancient humans, offering shelter and abundant food resources essential for survival.

ABSTRACTSoutheastern China's coastal region is considered one of the key areas for studying prehistoric human–land relationships in the Western Pacific region. This region, which is rich in records of marine civilization, provides an ideal location for recording coastal environmental evolution. In this study, the chronological framework of three borehole cores recovered from Haitan Island, South China, near the Keqiutou group of sites, was established using both optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating techniques. Various analyses, including lithologic characteristics, chroma, clay–water electric conductivity (EC), grain size and elemental geochemistry, were conducted to elaborate the sedimentary sequence and its paleoenvironmental implications. The findings suggest that (i) since the late Quaternary, the Haitan Island sedimentary sequence can be divided into three deposition stages: Old Red Sand formed during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3), intermittent sedimentation during the Last Glacial Maximum and coastal aeolian deposition during the Holocene. Furthermore, the study reveals that terrestrial debris was significant as a material source for Haitan Island. (ii) Due to the absence of tectonic uplift, Haitan Island has no thick marine sedimentary record during the Holocene period of high sea level. The Luyangpu coastal sand sheet can be dated to 2.78 ka, which is consistent with previous reports giving dates of 2.4 ka. Prior to the formation of the sand sheet, the sedimentary environment in the area was characterized by lagoon or marsh facies. (iii) Paleoanthropological activities were influenced by sedimentary environmental evolution and geomorphic processes, among others. The Keqiutou Culture experienced high sea levels, which created an intertidal environment near the site and facilitated fishing. However, regression at 5.7 ka led to terrestrial environments, which prompted the inhabitants to migrate. Approximately 3 ka ago, sea levels rose again, coinciding with the initiation of rice cultivation. These factors may have influenced the transition from the Neolithic to Bronze Age culture. This study reconstructs evolution of the sedimentary sequence since the late Quaternary, enhancing our understanding of past human–terrestrial relationship in the region.

The southeast coast of China is a crucial area for the spread of agriculture from mainland Asia to Taiwan and the islands of Southeast Asia. However, whether prehistoric rice cultivation in this region was lowland or upland remains unclear. This study used a detailed phytolith analysis to evaluate temporal changes in structure at three coastal sites of varying altitudes in the Fujian Province of China, Longgang, Zhengjiashan, and Gehongshan. Samples were collected from two cultural phases, the Neolithic Huangguashan and Bronze Age Huangtulun cultures. Additionally, a new physical index, the sensitive-to-fixed phytolith ratio, was used to identify the environmental conditions in which crops were cultivated. Using this method, the number of sensitive types can be less or greater than that of fixed types, corresponding to drought or paddy field rice cultivation systems, respectively. The results showed an interplay of rice and millet farming at these sites. The crop phytolith ratio revealed that rice was dominant in the crop structure. However, notable differences existed in the proportion of different crops and phytolith assemblages across the various sites. The sensitive-to-fixed phytolith ratios, indicative of wet-dry environmental changes, were 1.56 and 1.07 at the low-altitude Longgang and water-rich Zhengjiashan sites, respectively, suggesting lowland rice cultivation. In contrast, the sensitive-to-fixed ratio at the high-altitude Gehongshan site was only 0.8, implying upland rice cultivation. The phytolith assemblage variation among the different sites also revealed an increase in dryland crops from low to high altitudes, indicating that the inhabitants of the southeastern coastal mountainous area modified their crop structure and rice cultivation methods during the Neolithic-Bronze Age transition to overcome environmental limitations. In summary, this study presents phytolith evidence for prehistoric upland rice cultivation on the southeast coast of China, offering valuable insights into the development of the prehistoric subsistence economy in the region.

The age of prehistoric human sites serves as a fundamental basis for studying the relationship between human activities and landscape changes in the humid subtropical mountains of South China. The presence of pottery in these archaeological sites is widespread and offers a valuable resource for precise dating purposes. The Longtoushan (LTS) site, located in the northern mountains of Fujian Province, contains a rich variety of pottery types from various periods, representing a rare multi-period stratigraphic overlap in this area and playing a crucial role in constructing the cultural sequence and lineage of prehistoric and ancient times in this region. In this study, we employed thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques to establish the age of pottery samples collected from the LTS site situated in the upper Minjiang River region of southeast China for the first time, while also comparing our findings with other dating methods to construct a chronological framework for the site. The results showed that: (1) The samples analyzed in this study can be classified according to the peak strength of 325 degrees C TL signal at natural and regenerative doses of quartz. Samples with weak TL signal at 325 degrees C (type II samples) showed high recuperation and equivalent dose underestimation at a low preheat temperature (220 degrees C) in OSL test. (2) Conventional SAR procedures employed for type I samples are not suitable for type II samples. Type II samples require additional OSL stimulation towards the end of the cycle and an extended stimulation duration. (3) The application of various dating methods has revealed that the LTS site represents a long-term settlement in the humid subtropical mountains of South China, commencing around 4.6-4.4 thousand years ago (ka). Specifically, the dating of pottery pieces from kiln sites and tombs in the late Neolithic period provides a specific temporal reference for further understanding of prehistoric human culture and production behavior in the humid mountains of Fujian.

Rice ( Oryza sativa ) serves as a staple food for more than one-third of the global population. However, its journey from a wild gathered food to domestication remains enigmatic, sparking ongoing debates in the biological and anthropological fields. Here, we present evidence of rice phytoliths sampled from two archaeological sites in China, Shangshan and Hehuashan, near the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. We demonstrate the growth of wild rice at least 100,000 years before present, its initial exploitation as a gathered resource at about 24,000 years before present, its predomestication cultivation at about 13,000 years before present, and eventually its domestication at about 11,000 years before present. These developmental stages illuminate a protracted process of rice domestication in East Asia and extend the continuous records of cereal evolution beyond the Fertile Crescent.

The development of adaptive survival strategies is crucial for human occupation of the high-altitude areas of the Tibetan Plateau (TP). However, the history of this adaptation and its driving mechanisms are poorly understood. We used records of pollen, coprophilous fungal spores, and charcoal from a well-dated, high-resolution lake sediment core from the Southern Tibetan Plateau (STP) to investigate the history of high-altitude survival strategies, including arable agriculture and pastoralism, spanning the past 3600 years. The results revealed that survival strategies were dominated by arable agriculture, supplemented by pastoralism, from similar to 3600 to 1800 cal yr BP. However, after 1800 cal yr BP, this strategy shifted to low-level arable agriculture with intensified pastoralism. Comparison of our findings with regional paleoclimatic and archaeological records revealed that this transformation was an adaptive response to drought intensification. This adaptive resilience was a key aspect of human occupation of the high-altitude regions of the TP during the late Holocene.

Biogenic silica (biogenic Si) is a bioactive component crucial for the biogeochemical cycling of Si in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Its formation and dissolution dynamics are intricately linked to carbon (C) cycling. However, knowledge about the source, composition, and factors controlling the distribution of biogenic Si in coastal wetland sedimentary environments is still limited. To address this lack of knowledge, we introduced a suite of geometric models for biogenic Si biovolume calculation and investigated biogenic Si assemblages, along with biogenic Si and biogenic Si-occluded C contents, in sediments from representative coastal wetlands along the west coast of Bohai Bay. Our analysis showed that sedimentary biogenic Si predominantly derived from phytoliths (78.1% +/- 5.8%), diatoms (18.2% +/- 4.8%), and sponge spicules (3.7% +/- 2.9%). Notably, phytolith assemblages were primarily composed of forms derived from the Poaceae family. The biogenic Si-occluded C content (0.035-1.870 g kg-1) within these wetland sediments was consistent across both sites, accounting for 0.97-5.71% of the total organic C pool. Structural equation modeling indicated that total organic C, pH, and amorphous aluminum oxides either directly or indirectly influenced the biogenic Si content in coastal wetlands sediments. These results demonstrate the critical role that biogenic Si plays in the Si biogeochemical cycle and provide valuable information that advances our understanding of the biogeochemical interactions between Si and C in coastal wetland ecosystems.

Studying morphological changes in bulliform phytoliths in rice during different growth periods can provide essential information for understanding phytolith formation mechanisms and rice domestication processes. In this study, we analysed changes in the size and fish-scale decorations of rice bulliform phytoliths during a complete growth and development cycle. We then explored the underlying plant physiology, agricultural practices, and other factors that influence rice bulliform phytolith formation. From the transplanting stage to the ripening stage, the fan width (HL) and fan length (VL) of bulliform phytoliths tended to increase, decrease, and increase, reaching a maximum at the ripening stage (HL = 40.1 +/- 6.1 mu m, VL = 39.7 +/- 5.3 mu m). From the transplanting stage to ripening, the proportion of the long-stalked phenotype decreased significantly, and that of the short-stalked phenotype increased significantly. The proportion of rice bulliform phytoliths with >= 9 fish- scale decorations was 0 % at the transplanting and tillering stages and then increased from 42 % to 74 % from the elongation to ripening stage, with an average of 57 % for the four periods (elongation to ripening). The results of this study enhance the existing data on rice phytolith morphology, providing valuable insights into the morphological changes associated with rice domestication.

A small amount of organic carbon, referred to as phytolith-occluded carbon（PhytOC）, is occluded during phytolith formation. This carbon fraction has been demonstrated to be an important form of carbon sequestration. Thus, it has drawn particular attention from many researchers in the study of the terrestrial carbon cycle because it is of great significance for increasing terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks and delaying global warming caused by the greenhouse gas effect. First, we briefly reviewed the research history and current status of PhytOC. Then, focusing on the long-term changes in PhytOC, we discussed the questions and challenges of PhytOC and terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks as well as the recent argument that carbon sequestration by PhytOC in terrestrial ecosystems was highly overestimated. However, to more accurately estimate the phytolith carbon sink, some factors should be considered regarding long-term changes in PhytOC, such as different carbonoccluded abilities, carbon source, and stability of phytolith, decay rate of PhytOC in soil, and the impact of different phytolith extraction methods on PhytOC. As a result, the status and importance of PhytOC in studying terrestrial carbon sinks would be enhanced.

海湾及近海沉积物中的植硅体组合是恢复河流流域古植被和古环境的有效指标,然而目前对海湾特别是半封闭性海湾沉积物中植硅体的来源和迁移规律的了解还十分有限.通过分析罗源湾表层沉积物的植硅体组合、浓度和不同类型植硅体的分布规律,揭示海湾中植硅体的分布特征及其影响因素.研究表明,罗源湾表层沉积物植硅体浓度存在显著的区域性差异,浓度高值区出现在海湾西北部和中部等沉积环境稳定的区域,东部和南部等水动力较强的区域不利于植硅体沉积.海湾中不同形态的植硅体呈现出特定的分布规律,较小的短鞍型主要分布在沉积环境较为稳定的海湾西北部,而扇型和长方型等较大的植硅体主要分布在海湾中部和东部可门口等水动力较强的区域,河流输入和海湾水动力及其形成的沉积环境可能是影响罗源湾表层植硅体分布的主要因素.海湾植硅体的现代沉积过程研究将有助于提升利用植硅体重建古气候与古环境的准确度.