Abstract:

Yangshao culture is one of the most representative Neolithic cultures in north China and played an important role in the origins of civilization in China. The bioarchaeological analysis of Yangshao human skeletal remains from Baligang, Dengzhou, Henan Province shows that in more than one thousand years of the occupation of the site (ca 4000-3000 BC), there are some clear osteological changes in Yangshao residents. Diaphyseal cross-sectional geometry analysis of femur midshaft and mid-distal humerus shaft revealed a decrease in lower limb mobility as well as the gracilization of both upper and lower limbs in males and females, which indicate an increasingly sedentary lifestyle over time and decreased workload that may related to the progress of technology. From the early to middle and late Yangshao period, the rate of dental caries increase significantly from 7.8% to 18.0% in males and from 13.2% to 20.9% in females. However, the blunt trauma of the skull decreased distinctly from 21.3% to 5.3% in males but maintained at low level in females from 10.4% to 7.4%. Combining with zooarchaeological and other archaeological evidence, these changes are related to the increasing sedentary lifestyle, the maturity of agricultural economy, reduced dependence on hunting-gathering economy and the development of food processing technology through time. In the meantime, female stature shows a reduction of 2.5 cm from 160.3 cm to 157.8 cm while male stature remain constant at 168.3~168.4 cm. Other palaeopathological stress indicator also show differences between males and females. A clear increase of tibia periosteal abnormal new bone formation can be observed in females. The rate of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) in lower canine is high, however there is no changes of the rate of LEH through time. The decreased stature and the increase of periosteal abnormal new bone formation of tibia in females indicate the social status of females tend to decline in late Yangshao period. According to archaeological evidence, a series of important changes took place in middle and late Yangshao societies in central China, such as the emergence of ancient cities, large households and large tombs, the hierarchical settlement also appeared within the region, which all indicate the emergence of social complexity and the establishment of new social order in this period. Morphological and palaeopathological changes of human skeletal remains are also part of this process. The physical characteristics of Baligang Yangshao skeletal remains are closely related to their behavior patterns and social-cultural context.

Key words: Baligang site, Yangshao culture, Neolithic, Human osteology