Reviews

Upper Paleolithic human dispersals and cultural diffusions in Eastern Eurasia

  • Shinji KATO
Expand
  • Department of Planning and Coordination, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara of Japan 6308577
KATO Shinji, PhD, Senior Researcher, Deputy Director General. E-mail: kato-s6x@nich.go.jp

Received date: 2021-05-15

  Accepted date: 2021-11-11

  Online published: 2021-11-11

Supported by

Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT Grant-in-Aid Project FY2016-2020, Number 16H06407;JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP20H01361

Abstract

First, trends in the Upper Paleolithic (UP) industries on the eastern China, Korean Peninsula, and Japan Archipelago in Far Eastern Eurasia (FE Eurasia) are outlined. Next, developments in the UP industries in those regions are analyzed from the perspectives of relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion (contact diffusion). As a result, it is possible to gain an understanding of the following events. At the beginning of the UP (before 40 kaBP cal), southern human groups bearing a pebble and flake tool industry moved north and diffused in the southern part of eastern China. In the early stage of the UP (40-28 kaBP cal), regional groups formed, and they contacted each other. As a result, UP techno-cultural elements were diffused between those regional groups. In the late stage of the UP (after 28 kaBP cal), human groups with the microblade industries moved and spread widely in FE Eurasia, and as a result of contact between those groups, microblade industries widely diffused in this area. A glimpse of several entering of western or northern human groups (e.g., the human group with Initial Upper Paleolithic industry) into the FE Eurasia and its neighborhoods were able to catch, all of these, however, proved to be local and temporary ones. From the analysis on Paleolithic industries in this paper, it can be said that the movement of human groups with UP industries as generally consistent with the movements of East Asian ancestral populations that revealed by genomic analysis.

Cite this article

Shinji KATO . Upper Paleolithic human dispersals and cultural diffusions in Eastern Eurasia[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2023 , 42(06) : 842 -856 . DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0012

References

[1] Gakuhari T, Nakagome S, Rasmussen S, et al. Ancient Jomon genome sequence analysis sheds light on migration patterns of early East Asian populations[J]. Communications Biology, 2020, 3(1): https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01162-2
[2] Zhang M, Fu QM. Human evolutionary history in Eastern Eurasia using insights from ancient DNA[J]. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, 2020, 62: 78-84
[3] Takahata N. A report on publications regarding dispersal, differentiation and admixture of modern human populations using ancient and present-day genomes[A]. In: Wakano Y (Ed). Mathematical modelling and analysis of cultural and behavioral changes through dispersal and settlement of human populations[C]. Tokyo: Meiji University, 2020, 30-105
[4] Takahata N. A review about population genomics on Ancient North Eurasians[A]. In: Wakano Y (Ed). Mathematical modelling and analysis of cultural and behavioral changes through dispersal and settlement of human populations[C]. Tokyo: Meiji University, 2021, 27-44
[5] Kato S. The Palaeolithic of China: Its industries and chronology[J]. Palaeolithic Research, 2019, 15: 91105
[6] Chen QJ, Zhao HL, Wang FG. A report on the 1993 Excavation of Xianrendong Paleolithic Site in Huadian, Jilin[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2007, 26 (3): 223-236
[7] School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University and Zhengzhou City Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Excavation Report of the Fangjiagou Paleolithic site, Dengfeng[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2020
[8] Shang H, Trinkaus E. The Early Modern Human from Tianyuan Cave, China[M]. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2010
[9] Huang W, Fu RY. Xiaogushan Site: Comprehensive Research on Prehistoric Cave Site in Haicheng City, Liaoning Province[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2009
[10] Museum of Liaoning Province. The Xibajianfang Paleolithic Site in Lingyuan County[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1973, 11(2): 223-226
[11] Pei WC. The Upper cave industry of Choukoutien[J]. Paleontologia Sinica, 1939, series D ( 9): 1-58
[12] Li CR, Yu JC, Feng XW. The Excavation of a Paleolithic Site at Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing, Beijing[J]. Archaeology, 2000(9): 1-8
[13] An ZM. Trail Excavations of the Palaeolithic Cave at Xiaonanhai in Anyang, Henan[J]. Acta Archaeologica Sinica, 1965(1): 1-27
[14] Zhengzhou City Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University. Excavation Report of the ZhaoZhuang Paleolithic site, Xinzheng[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2020
[15] Kato S. Pebble tool industry of MIS3 in North China[A]. In: Nishiaki Y(Ed). Integrative research on the formative processes of modern human cultures in Asia 5[C]. Tokyo: The University of Tokyo, 2021, 27-31
[16] Wang YP. Zhijidong industry and Paleo-human activities[A]. In:School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University(Ed). A Collection of Studies on Archaeology 7[C]. Beijing: Science Press, 2008, 136-148
[17] Zhang XL, Yu HL, Gao X. New findings and dates of the Shibazhan Paleolithic site, Heilongjiang province[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2006, 25(2):115-128
[18] Kato S. Human dispersal and interaction during the spread of microblade industries in East Asia[J]. Quaternary International, 2014, 347: 105-112
[19] Liu W, Li YQ, Yang SX. Preliminary Report of Excavation at Shishantou Paleolithic site, Longjiang County, Heilongjiang Province[J]. Archaeology 2019(11): 3-13
[20] Yue JP, Yang SX, Li YQ, et al. Human adaptations during MIS 2: Evidence from microblade industries of Northeast China[J]. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2021, 567: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2021.110286
[21] Guan Y, Wang XM, Wang FG, et al. Microblade remains from the Xishahe site, North China and their implications for the origin of microblade technology in Northeast Asia[J]. Quaternary International, 2020, 535: 38-47
[22] Zhengzhou City Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University. The Collection of articles on new archaeological discoveries in Paleolithic age in Zhengzhou area[C]. Beijing: Science press, 2020
[23] Shandong Provincial Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Relics, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Linyi Cultural Heritage Administration. Microlithic Remains around 13-19 ka B.P. at Fenghuangling Site, Shandong Province[N]. China Cultural Relics News. 2018-6-15
[24] Nakagawa K, 2020. Industries of MIS3 in the southern Korean Peninsula[A]. In: Nishiaki Y(Ed). Integrative research on the formative processes of modern human cultures in Asia 4[R]. Tokyo: The University of Tokyo, 2020, 73-77
[25] Han CG, 2002. Yonghodong Paleolithic Site at Daejeon, Korea[A]. In: Institute of Cultural Properties of Hanyang University(Ed). Paleolithic Studies in Northeast Asia[C]. Ansan: Institute of Cultural Properties of Hanyang University, 2002, 163-171
[26] Institute of Koran Prehistory. Report on the excavation of Suyanggae site (Loc. I and VI), Dayang[M]. Dayang: Institute of Koran Prehistory, 2018
[27] Otani K. Pr. Production technology and transformation in Korean microlith culture[A]. In: Masao Ambiru Kouki Memorial Papers Publication Committee(Ed). Archaeology of Paleolithic wisdom and technology[C]. Tokyo: Yuzankaku Inc, 2017, 343356
[28] Hong MY. Cultural Feature of the Hopyeong-dong Upper Paleolithic Site in Namyangju, Korea[J]. Palaeolithic Archaeology, 2009, 72: 49-61
[29] Obihiro City Board of Education. The Wakabano Mori Site, Obihiro[M]. Obihiro: Obihiro City Board of Education, 2004
[30] Chitose City Board of Education. The Shukubai-sankakuyama Site[M]. Chitose: Chitose City Board of Education, 1974
[31] Shimaki Site Excavation Group of University of Tsukuba. A Paleolithic culture at Shimaki: the oldest Paleolithic components in Hokkaido[J]. History and Anthropology, 1988, 16: 3-64
[32] Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center. The Kashiwadai 1 Site, Chitose[M]. Sapporo: Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center, 1999
[33] Obihiro City Board of Education. The Kawanishi C Site, Obihiro[M]. Obihiro: Obihiro City Board of Education, 1998
[34] Hokkaido Cultural Property Protection Association. The Obarubetsu 2 Site, Oshamanbe 2[M]. Sapporo: Hokkaido Cultural Property Protection Association, 2000
[35] Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center. The Pirika 1 site, Imakane[M]. Sapporo: Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center, 1985
[36] Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center. The Oruika 2 site, Chitose 2[M]. Sapporo: Hokkaido Archaeological Operations Center, 2005
[37] Morisaki K, Kunikita D, Ikeda T, et al. Ishinomoto revisited: A chronological study on the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic Period in the Japanese Archipelago. Palaeolithic Research, 2020, 16: 43-58
[38] Saku City Board of Education. 1999. The Happusan site cluster[M]. Saku: Saku City Board of Education, 1999
[39] Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. 2002. Report of Archaeological Excavation at 14th Block in East Second Ward on Second Street, Nara Capital Site (Hokkeji-minami Site): Volume on Paleolithic Period[M]. Nara: Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 2002
[40] Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education. The Tanukidani Site, Yamae, Kuma[M]. Kumamoto: Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education, 1987
[41] Kanagawa Archaeology Foundation. The Yoshioka Site cluster V[M]. Yokohama: Kanagawa Archaeology Foundation, 1998
[42] Kanagawa Archaeology Foundation. The Yoshioka Site cluster IX[M]. Yokohama: Kanagawa Archaeology Foundation, 1999
[43] Sasebo City Board of Education. The Fukui Cave[M]. Sasebo: Sasebo City Board of Education, 2016
[44] Kisyuku Town Board of Education. The Chaen Site[M]. Kisyuku: Kisyuku Town Board of Education, 1998
[45] Sawada A. The Araya Site[M]. Tokyo: Douseisya, 2014
[46] Jordan-Bychkov TC, Domosh M. The Human Mosaic:A Thematic Introduction to Cultural Geography. 9th edition[M]. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company, 2003
[47] Yamada S. The phenomenon of diffusion on microblade industries in Hokkaido[A]. In: Sato H(Ed). Diffusion and Transformation: Kou and Microblade Industry[C]. Tokyo: The University of Tokyo, 2008, 60-77
[48] Kuhn SL, Zwyns N. Rethinking the Initial Upper Paleolithic[J]. Quaternary International, 2014, 347: 29-38
[49] Li F, Petraglia M, Roberts P, et al. The northern dispersal of early modern humans in eastern Eurasia[J]. Science Bulletin, 2020, 65: 1699-1701
[50] Kato S. The cultural sequence of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic in northern China[J]. Quaternary International, 2021, 596: 54-64
[51] Zwyns N. Laminar Technology and Onset of the Upper Paleolithic in Altai, Siberia[M]. Leiden: Leiden University Press, 2014
[52] Terry K, Buvit I, Konstantinov MV. Emergence of a microlithic complex in the Transbaikal Region of southern Siberia[J]. Quaternary International, 2016, 425: 88-99
[53] Zhao HL, Xu T, Ma DD. Technology and function of the obsidian burins from the Helong Dadong site in Jilin province[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2016, 35(4): 537-548
[54] Gómez Coutouly YA. The emergence of pressure knapping microblade technology in Northeast Asia[J]. Radiocarbon, 2018, 60(3): 821-855
[55] Derev’anko AP. The Paleolithic of Siberia[M]. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1998
[56] Reimer PJ, Austin William EN, Bard E, et al. The IntCal20 Northern Hemisphere Radiocarbon Age Calibration Curve(0-55 cal kBP)[J]. Radiocarbon, 2020, 62(4): 725-757
[57] Stuiver M, Reimer PJ. Extended 14C data base and revised CALIB 3.0 14C age calibration program[J]. Radiocarbon, 1993, 35: 215-230
[58] Stuiver M, Reimer PJ. Calib Radiocarbon Calibration Program Version 7.0.4[CP/OL]. 2017, download on 10 February 2018. http://calib.org/calib/download/
Outlines

/