Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2013, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (01): 77-92.

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Research on faunal remains from the Yangjiesha site in Hengshan County, Shaanxi Province

HU Song-mei; SUN Zhou-yong; YANG Li-ping; KANG Ning-wu; YANG Miao-miao; LI Xiao-qiang   

  • Online:2013-03-15 Published:2013-03-15

Abstract: This article focuses on the identification and analysis of faunal remains unearthed from the Yangjiesha Neolithic site at Hengshan County, Shaanxi Province, in 2010. These faunal remains were recovered from archaeological features of the Late Yangshao Period, including ash pits, house floors and storage pits. At least 13 species such as mussels, birds, hedgehogs, pheasants, sewer rats, Myospalax fontanieri, Myospalax cansus, Siberian weasels, dogs, rabbits, domestic? pigs,? goitred? gazelle? and? sheep,? were? identified.? The? analysis? of? these? faunal? remains? indicate that the climate of the Late Yangshao Period was better than today with extensive grasslands present around the site, which deteriorated with desertification. Based on MNI, pigs comprised 87.9% of the faunal remains showing that the consumption of pigs played an important role in the subsistence system. Except for domestic animals, hunting wild animals was one of the main sources for human meat consumption.

Key words: Hengshan County; Yangjiesha Neolithic; Late Yangshao; Faunal remains