Evolution of oasis agriculture and civilization exchange since the Bronze age in Transoxiana, Central Asia

doi:10.16359/j.cnki.cn11-1963/q.2020.0073

Abstract

Abstract:

Transoxiana is an ideal place for studying agriculture spread and civilization exchange as the drought local climate meaning that there is sensitivity to environmental changes and good preservation of archaeological materials. This region has always played an important role in communication between eastern and western civilizations in Eurasia. This study combines archaeobotanical and chronological methods in order to reconstruct Holocene agricultural activities and analyze human adaptations to environmental changes in Aum Darya region from 4000 BP (late Bronze Age) to the Sassanid Empire. Results show that the agriculture systems in Transoxiana were highly complexity since 4000 BP. Although different types of crops were planted in different periods, the local oasis agriculture structure composed mainly of barley and wheat, with supplementary foods including common millet, foxtail millet, beans, and fruit such as grapes. Rice and other crops were added in later periods, these foodstuffs did not impact the local agricultural structure. This study provides some details about the evolution of oasis agriculture and human response to environmental changes in Central Asia. It also give us some new perspectives for further study about agricultural spread in Eurasia.

Key words: Transoxiana, Central Asia, Archaeobotany, Agriculture, Holocene

CLC Number:

Q948K878

CHEN Guanhan, ZHOU Xinying, SHEN Hui, Khasannov Mutalibjon, MA Jian, REN Meng, Annaev Tukhtash, WANG Jianxin, LI Xiaoqiang. Evolution of oasis agriculture and civilization exchange since the Bronze age in Transoxiana, Central Asia[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2021, 40(06): 1108-1120.

Figures/Tables 5

References 57

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实验室编号 Lab No.	遗址Site	类型Type	年代Age (BP)	σ	矫正年代Age calibrated (BP cal)	文化时期Cultural period
Beta-515840	Taletagola	小麦	1670±30	2	1629-1522	萨珊波斯
Beta-515841	Taletagola	小麦	1650±30	2	1620-1517	萨珊波斯
Beta-515839	Kyzyl tepe	小麦	2480±30	2	2723-2431	阿契美尼德波斯
Beta-515838	Khalchayan	田紫草	2900±40	2	3164-2925	铁器时代
Beta-530014	Khalchayan	水稻	1740±30	2	1714-1756	贵霜
Beta-533104	Khalchayan	小麦	1690±30	2	1714-1756	贵霜
Beta-462797	Molali	小麦	3180±30	2	3457-3357	青铜时代晚期
Beta-519876	Djarkutan	碳屑	3700±30	2	4100-3966	青铜时代晚期

实验室编号 Lab No.	遗址Site	类型Type	年代Age (BP)	σ	矫正年代Age calibrated (BP cal)	文化时期Cultural period
Beta-515840	Taletagola	小麦	1670±30	2	1629-1522	萨珊波斯
Beta-515841	Taletagola	小麦	1650±30	2	1620-1517	萨珊波斯
Beta-515839	Kyzyl tepe	小麦	2480±30	2	2723-2431	阿契美尼德波斯
Beta-515838	Khalchayan	田紫草	2900±40	2	3164-2925	铁器时代
Beta-530014	Khalchayan	水稻	1740±30	2	1714-1756	贵霜
Beta-533104	Khalchayan	小麦	1690±30	2	1714-1756	贵霜
Beta-462797	Molali	小麦	3180±30	2	3457-3357	青铜时代晚期
Beta-519876	Djarkutan	碳屑	3700±30	2	4100-3966	青铜时代晚期