Fengshi Luan

Systematic, regional survey in SE Shandong Province, China

AbstractThis paper presents results from two seasons of full coverage, systematic, regional survey in SE Shandong province, China. It describes how systematic, regional survey provides valuable information on change in settlement patterns during the late prehistoric and early historical periods in northern China. Full coverage survey enabled us to discover scores of new sites in the area. Our collaborative survey, the first of its kind in the Yellow River Valley, reveals that a multi-tier settlement hierarchy developed around the large Longshan period (ca. 2600–1900 B.C.) site of Liangchengzhen. The settlement pattern for the Longshan Period is highly nucleated in comparison to the patterns found for the succeeding Zhou and Han periods.

Chemical Identification and Cultural Implications of a Mixed Fermented Beverage from Late Prehistoric China

Humans around the world have shown a remarkable propensity to ferment available sugar sources into alcoholic beverages. These drinks have contributed significantly to cultural innovation and development, including agricultural and horticultural skills to harness natural resources; technologies to produce the beverages and to make special vessels to serve, drink, and present them ceremonially; and their incorporation into feasting and other activities. Molecular archaeological analyses of a range of pottery forms from the site of Liangchengzhen, China, illustrates how contemporaneous chemical data, in conjunction with intensive archaeological and botanical recovery methods, enables the reconstruction of prehistoric beverages and their cultural significance. During the middle Longshan period (ca. 2400-2200 B.C.), a mixed fermented beverage of rice, fruit (probably hawthorn fruit and/or grape), and possibly honey was presented as grave offerings and consumed by the residents of the regional center.

Regional survey and the development of complex societies in southeastern Shandong, China

This article shows that full-coverage regional survey is an effective tool for understanding change over time in regional settlement patterns in north China. Five seasons of survey in the Rizhao area of southeastern Shandong demonstrate a nucleated pattern of settlement around the Longshan site of Liangchengzhen and a clear settlement hierarchy, with distinctly different patterns for later periods.

Hunting with Talc

Abstract Collaborative excavations by the Shandong University and Field Museum at the Longshan Period site of Liangchengzhen in eastern Shandong Province, China have uncovered over 200 projectile points constructed from several prevalent material types of varying hardness. The majority of the points were finished by grinding. The smaller percentage were finished by pressure flaking. Raw materials utilized in projectile point manufacture included chlorite schist, chert and talc schist. To better understand their efficiency as projectile weapons, several of the points were replicated and tested in well controlled penetration experiments. While it is argued that talc schist projectile points could have functioned as weapons, they were also likely highly symbolic tools constructed and used for ceremonial or other non-utilitarian purposes.