陕西榆林地区新石器时代晚期动物资源的获取和利用

Late Neolithic Appropriation and Utilization of Faunal Resources in the Yulin Region,Shaanxi

前言考古学证据表明,中国史前社会存在两个相互联系的发展趋势,一是区域间相互作用逐渐加强;二是每个区域的社会都逐渐向复杂化发展,文明因素逐渐显现[1]。这种趋势在新石器时代最末期的龙山时代得到了最大程度的呈现,基本上形成了以中原为中心的历史发展趋势[2]。以榆林地区为代表的中国北方边缘地带,系统性的考古工作开展较晚,披露的信息量有限,长期以来未被学界充分重视。

The late Neolithic was a key period when the subsistence economy of the Yulin region underwent transformation.Through the lenses of age of death,distribution of skeletal elements,reconstruction of the paleoenvironment,and diachronic change of settlements,a re-analysis of published data on faunal remains in the late Neolithic Yulin region becomes possible.This study suggests that diversified procurement strategies for meat resources existed in the Yulin region,thanks to an optimal environment for the subsistence economy as well as controllable survival pressure during the late Yangshao.As the environmental condition became dry and cold,resulting in desertifi cation,an imbalance between population and resource gradually becomes evident.However,the timely introduction of exotic domestic animals(i.e.,cattle,sheep/goats)effectively supplemented the local subsistence economy and thus advanced regional development.The degree of specialization in domestic animal husbandry was still low.Therefore,production and consumption of meat and secondary products was probably on a small,individualized scale.