On the Holocene Sea-Level Highstand Along the Yangtze Delta And

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Chinese Science Bulletin 2003 Vol. 48 No. 24 2672ü2683 6000ü4500 aBP was a period characterized by the highest sea level of the Holocene, approximately 3.7 m higher On the Holocene sea-level than the current sea level (Fig. 1). highstand along the Yangtze Delta and Ningshao Plain, East China

ZHU Cheng1, ZHENG Chaogui1,4, MA Chunmei1, YANG Xiaoxuan1, GAO Xizhen1, WANG Haiming2 & SHAO Jiuhua3 1. Department of Urban and Resources Sciences of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; 2. Zhejiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Hangzhou 310014, China; 3. Hemudu Site Museum of Zhejiang, Yuyao 315400, China; 4. Department of Chuzhou Normal College, Chuzhou 239012, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Zhu Cheng (e-mail: zhuchengnj [4] @yahoo.com.cn) Fig. 1. Various curves of global sea-level changes since 13000 aBP . Abstract The temporal-spatial distribution of Neolithic The Greenland ice-core records[5] seem to support sites shows a long period of absence of human settlements during the early Holocene on the Yangtze Delta, and the area Fairbridge’s viewpoint (Fig. 2). Oxygen isotopic records has not been colonized until 7000 aBP, corresponding to the indicate that 7000ü4000 aBP was the Holocene Thermal onset of the Majiabang culture. Besides the regions east to Maximum, which might have caused an accelerated melt- the sandbar of Maqiao Site in Shanghai, foraminifera are not ing of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, thereby leading to the found in Neolithic cultural layers since 7000 aBP, indicating Holocene sea-level highstand. a widespread transgression between 10000 and 7000 aBP. However, the pattern of global sea-level rise during Evidence of radiocarbon-dated cultural relics, foraminifera the middle Holocene is still uncertain, and there has been and pollen records from the Hemudu Site suggests that the no definitive conclusion on sea-level changes along the Hemudu culture emerged and developed during the [6ü8] mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum. Therefore, the hypothesis Yangtze Delta. Zhao et al. suggest that considerable of a mid-Holocene sea-level highstand along the Yangtze fluctuations of sea level occurred during the Holocene and Delta and Ningshao Plain from 7000 to 5000 aBP is an open the highest sea level occurred between 7500 and 4000 aBP, debate. New evidence from archaeological excavations and wherein the sea level was 2ü3 m higher than that of pre- bio-stratigraphy suggests that, prior to 7000 aBP, a high sea sent. Yan and Xu et al.[9] believe that the sea level was 60 level occurred along the Ningshao Plain. Subsequently, the m at 10000 aBP, and seawater did not inundate the north- sea level was lowered between 7000 and 5000 aBP, and the area suffered from frequent floods from 5000 to 3900 aBP. ern Yangtze Delta where a front delta-shallow sea land- scape developed between 6500 and 5500 aBP. Then, a Keywords: Yangtze Delta, Ningshao Plain, Holocene sea-level high- tidal bank, fork, sand dam, riverbed, and river mouth were stand, Hemudu Site, foraminifera, pollen. in turn formed during the late Holocene. Yang and DOI: 10.1360/03wd0387

The influence of global sea-level rise on human live- lihood in the 21st century has become one of the important topics of the current global changes research. Under- standing past sea-level response to climate changes is necessary to forecast the future. Therefore, searching stratigraphic evidence of sea-level changes from archaeological sites in coastal regions has become one of the characteristic research strategies[1ü3]. Three patterns (cf. Mörner, Shepard and Fairbridge)[4] concerning postglacial sea-level changes have been proposed. One is the continuous pattern, in which sea level rose gradually from the Fig. 2. Air temperature curve of the Earth's surface in the past 18000 a end of the Last Glacial Maximum and reached the present based on ice-core oxygen isotopic ratio records from Greenland[5] (modi- [4] level at about 4000 aBP. However, Fairbrige argues that fied from Houghton et al., 1990[5]).

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Xie et al.[10] documented significant fluctuations of sea elevation of 8 sites are the same as that of the Majiabang level along the eastern Chinese coast during the late-gla- culture with an altitude of 0ü2 m and the elevation of the cial and Holocene. From the last glacial onward, sea level other 4 sites is different. In this time, there were 28 sites rose rapidly and reached the current level along with the with elevation of 2ü5 m (more than those during the Ma- maximum transgression during the middle Holocene. jiabang culture). Among them, the elevation of 21 sites [11] However, according to Wang Fubao , high sea level oc- (including the important newly occurred sites, such as curred at 5000, 3500, 2600 and 1100ü700 aBP, and low Tongli of Wujiang, Dagangzhen of Danyang, Jianbi of sea level appeared at around 6300ü5600, 4500ü4000, Zhenjiang, Lucheng of Wujin, Sidun Sanhuangmiao of and 3000 aBP. The amplitude of these fluctuations varies Zhenglu in Changzhou, Mashan of Wuxi, Tangqiao of from 3 to 4 m. According to Shao Xusheng[12], the maximum Shazhou, Qiandixiang of Xinguang in Changshu and transgression reached the westmost Yangtze Delta over the Zhanglingshan of Wuxian, etc.) differs from those of the period of 6910f540 aBP, and the coastline shifted Majiabang culture. These newly occurred sites with eleva- westward to the line along Wangxian-Pangu-Zhulin- tion of 2ü5 m were distributed mostly in the north and Qingchun-Tangwang-Shetou-Xiangyang to the east of Mt. east Taihu Lake, particularly in the Zhangjiagang-Shazhou Maoshan (However, Neolithic sites distributed densely in region. This phenomenon is the result of the Holocene the region east to this line, where rice cultivation was migration of the Yangtze River channel. Deposition of the originated and also distributed widely in the Yangtze Delta south convex bank of the Yangtze River created enough as well). space for human settlement. Note that although there were What mentioned above indicated that, for a long time, 5 primary sites (3 more than those of the Majiabang cul- most Chinese geologists are in favor of the existence of a ture) with altitude of 2ü5 m and 1 with altitude of 10ü Holocene sea level high and believe that it occurred be- 50 m, Cultural sites with altitude of 0ü5 m were found tween 7000 and 5000 aBP. Nevertheless, archaeological on the bed of the Chenghu Lake of Wuxian, indicating that evidence since the middle of the 20th century seems to no high sea level occurred at that time. prove the contrary conclusion. Most of those 205 Neo- (3) The Liangzhu culture (5000ü4000 aBP ), char- lithic sites with an age range of 7000ü4000 aBP were acterized by jade articles, was the most prosperous pre- ascertained by archaeological instrument typology, ar- historic civilization in the Yangtze Delta. There are 30 chaeological stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating on bur- sites (newly occurred 21) with altitude of 0ü2 m. In con- ied tree trunks and charcoal in the sites. These sites are trast with those of the Songze culture, the situation of located in the seawater-submerged area of high sea level these sites with the same altitude changed to a certain ex- between 7000 and 4000 aBP. tent. The newly occurred sites are the Dasanjin Site of 1 Spatial and temporal distribution of Neolithic sites Tuanjiecun in Wujiang, Huangtushan Site of Mocheng in on the Yangtze Delta Changshu, Maqiao Site in Shanghai, Jiefangcun Site of Figs. 3ü5 demonstrate the distribution of the 205 Luojiajiao in Qingpu of Shanghai, Longnan Site of Mei- archaeological sites during 7000ü4000 aBP on the Yang- yan in Wujiang, Shengjiadai Site of Yanguan in Haining, tze Delta. A total of 34 sites belong to the Majiabang Nanrongzhuang Site adjoins the railway station of Kun- culture, 47 to the Songze culture, and 124 to the Liangzhu shan, Tushandun Site of Zhengdian Town in Qingpu of culture. Figs. 3ü5 demonstrate the distribution character- Shanghai, Tinglin Site of Jinshan in Shanghai, Qianshan- istics of the Neolithic archaeological sites as follows: yang Site of Huzhou in Zhejiang, Tangmiaocun Site of (1) During the Majiabang culture (7000ü5800 aBP), Qingpu in Shanghai, etc. In this period, there was a ten- of the 34 sites, 11 sites were located mostly on the dency that the changing scope of the sites’ location with low-lying and flooding plain to the east and west of Taihu an altitude of 0ü2 m expanded further toward the east Lake; 20 sites are mostly on water-net plain and high-land and south of Taihu Lake. There are 83 sites with an alti- plain to the northwest and southeast parts of Taihu Lake; tude of 2ü5 m, 55 more than those of the Songze culture. and 3 sites are at the mound mesa of the piedmont alluvial Compared with the Songze culture, the location of the plain to the west of Taihu Lake and the lakeshore plain to sites with the same altitude changed to a certain extent. the northeast of Taihu Lake. Therefore, it is clear that, the The 67 newly occurred sites mainly include the Liangzhu Neolithic man began to dwell on lakeshore plains with a Site of Yuhang in Zhejiang, Mojiaoshan Site in Yuhang low and flat terrain (altitude range of 0ü5 m a.s.l.) and (the area covers 300000 m2), Shuitianpan Site in Hang- accessible water sources since 7000 aBP. zhou, Quemuqiao Site in Jiaxing, Zhelin Site of Fengxian (2) During the Songze culture (5800ü5000 aBP), of in Shanghai, etc. The changing range of the sites’ location the 47 sites, 12 sites were located mostly at the low-lying with an altitude of 2ü5 m expanded further to the north, lacustrine plain and lakeshore plain with altitude of 0ü2 east and south of the Taihu Lake. The newly occurred sites m to the east and the west of Taihu Lake, among them, the are mostly in Jiangyin, Jintan, and Wujin in the north,

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Fig. 3. Distribution and location of Majiabang Culture sites (7000ü5800 aBP) and their altitude (m). 1. Guanfucun, Taoyuansuanxu, Zhenze, Wujiang (0—2); 2. Yuanjiadai, Meiyan, Wujiang (0—2); 3. Miaogang, Wujiang (0—2); 4. Xiangcaohe, Jiuli, Danyang (0—2); 5. 2.5 km Northeast of Jintan (2—5); 6. Kongcun, Liyang (2—5); 7. North of Jiangyin (2—5); 8. Weidun, South bank of the Grand Canal, South of Qishuyan, Changzhou (5—10); 9. Panjiatang, Qinglong, Wujin (2—5); 10. Chenglicun, Xueyan, Wujin (2—5); 11. Zhengjiatang, Yuqi, Wuxi (2—5); 12. Xindu, Luquqiao, Wuxi (2—5); 13. Gedaiqiao, Wuxi (2—5); 14. Fengqiao, Suzhou, (2—5); 15. Caoxieshan, Weiting, Wuxian (2—5); 16. Tong’an, Wuxian (2—5); 17. Zhengyi, Kun- shan (0—2); 18. Shaoqinshan, Qiandeng, Kunshan (2—5); 19. South of Kunshan railway station (0—2); 20. Fuquanshan, West of Zhonggu, Shanhai (0—2); 21. Songze, 5 km Northeast of Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 22. Jinshan, Shanhai (0—2); 23. Majiabang, 7. 5 km Southwest of Jiaxin, Zhejiang (2—5); 24. Yaozhuang, Jiashan, Zhejiang (0—2); 25. Haining, Zhejiang (2—5); 26. Luojiajiao, Tongxiang, Zhejiang (2—5); 27. Shuanglin, Jiuguan, Zhejiang (0—2); 28. Qiucheng, Wuxing, Huzhou, Zhejiang (0—2); 29. Luotuodun, Tangnan, Luping, Guijing, Yixing (5—10); 30. Qitoushan, Xiajiacun, Qishan, Jiangyin (2—5); 31. Pengzudun, Guanjiaqiao, Hongsheng, Xishan (5—10); 32. Sanxingcun, Xigang, Jintan (2—5); 33. Dongshancun, Zhang- jiagang (2—5); 34. Xuzhuang, Zhangjiagang (2—5).

Yuhang, Jiaxing and Haining in the south, and Wuxi, floods since 7000 aBP in the Yangtze Delta[1,17ü22], the Wuxian, Kunshan and Qingpu in the east. In addition, it is distribution of Neolithic sites around Taihu Lake is uni- essential to point out that though there are 8 sites with an form and extended gradually. Furthermore, there is a con- altitude of 5ü10 m in this time, the sites with an altitude siderable amount of sites distributed in the areas with an of 0ü5 m found at the bed of the Dianshan Lake and altitude of 0ü2 m and even 0ü5 m during all the peri- Chenghu Lake indicate that, in the Liangzhu culture, this ods. Such a spatial distribution seems difficult to prove the area was still in a low sea-level period. presence of a transgression and a high sea level during (4) According to the above-mentioned spatial and temporal distribution of the sites, though affected by

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Fig. 4. Distribution and location of Songze Culture sites (5800ü5000 aBP) and their altitude. 1. Yuanjiadai, Meiyan, Wujiang (0—2); 2. Pengjialicun, Zhenze, Wujiang (0—2); 3. Tongli, Wujiang (2—5); 4. Miaogang, Wujiang (0—2); 5. Dagang Dantu (2—5); 6. Jianbi, Zhenjiang (2—5); 7. Jurong Reservoir, Jurong (10—50); 8. Weidun South bank of the Great Canal, South of Qishuyan, Changzhou (5—10); 9. Panjiatang, Qinglong, Wujin (2—5); 10. Chenglicun, Xueyan, Wujin (2—5); 11. Lucheng, Wujin (2—5); 12. Sidun, Sanhuangmiao, Zhenglu, Changzhou (2—5); 13. Baizhang, Wujin (5—10); 14. Mashan, Wuxi (2—5); 15. Xianlicun, Liangxihe, Wuxi (2—5); 16. Luyuan, Shazhou (5—10); 17. Tangqiao, Shazhou (2—5); 18. Gangkou, Shazhou (2—5); 19. Chenghang, Shazhou (2—5); 20. Gaoqiaocun, Houcheng, Shazhou (2—5); 21. Zhujingcun, Qinnan, Changshu (2—5); 22. Qiandixiang, Xinguang, Xieqiao, Changshu (2—5); 23. Beiyuecheng, Shihu. Xingchunqiao, Suzhou (2—5); 24. Caoxieshan, Weiting, Wuxian (2—5); 25. Buttom of Chenghu Lake, Wuxian (0— 5); 26. North of Zhengyi, Kunshan (0—2); 27. Northeast of Qiandeng, Kunshan (2—5); 28. South bank of Wusong River, Zhaoling, Kunshan (0—2); 29. Fuquanshan, West of Zhonggu Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 30. North of Songzecun, Chengdong, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 31. Xiaokunshan. Songjiang, Shanghai (0—2); 32. Yaozhuang, Jiaxing, Zhejiang (0—2); 33. Yungangdadui, Huanggu, Pinghu, Zhe- jiang (2—5); 34. Haining, Zhejiang (2—5); 35. North of Wuxing, near to Taihu Lake, Zhejiang (2—5); 36. Luotuodun, Tangnan, Luping, Guijin, Yixing (5—10); 37. Sanxingcun, Xigang, Jintan (2—5); 38. Songze, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 39. 2 km southwest of Luzhi, Wuxian (2—5); 40. Qiucheng, Wuxing, Huzhou, Zhejiang (0—2); 41. Xuzhuang, Zhangjiagang (2—5); 42. Dongshancun, Zhangjiagang (2—5); 43. Xujiawan, Zhangjiagang (2—5); 44. Shuangqiao, Jiaxing (0—2); 45. Zhanglingshan, Wuxian (2—5); 46. Wudun, Dongqing, Wujin (5—10); 47. Nanhubang, Caozhuang, Jiaxing (2—5).

7000ü5000 aBP in the Yangtze Delta. mentary, geochemistry, on archaeological site including the Maqiao Site in Shanghai[18,19], Caoxieshan Site of 2 Archaeological and micropaleontological evidence Weiting in Wuxian[1,20], Sanxingcun Site in Jintan[21], for a Holocene high-sea level on the Yangtze Delta Xuecheng Site in Gaochun, etc., as well as the temporal- In recent years, we conducted various analyses, such as chronology, marine micropaleontology, pollen, sedi-

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spatial distribution change of cheniers[23]. The main find- Zhenjiang along the Yangtze River, except the Taihu Lake ings are as follows: the Sanxingcun Site of Jintan in region.) Jiangsu, excavated in 1997, contains cultural components According to radiocarbon dates (6275f205 of the Majiabang culture and Songze culture with more aBP[13,25]) of fossil rice grains excavated from the base than 2000 pieces of jade articles and potteries unearthed. layer of Caoxieshan Site of Weiting in Wuxian, the ancient The altitude of the surface of this site is only about 5 m people settled in the region following the hunt- with a cultural layer of 3 m. No evidence of transgression ing-gathering before 6200 aBP. However, 1000 years are was found from the Sanxincun Site. Nevertheless, we required for the evolution of rice from ferine paddy to found warm-water Ammoniabeccarii/tepida Group, planting paddy. Some scholars[13] thought that the cultural Nonion akitaense/depressulum Group, Cribrononion sites in the region of Taihu Lake were located mostly at incertum, and Pseudononionella variabilis/Stomoloculina the places with higher terrain for avoiding the influence of multacula Group in the grey silty clay underside of the transgression during the Holocene. However, field inves- Majiabang Culture, which is consistent with marine tigation cannot support this hypothesis. A lot of culture micropaleontology character in the transgression layer of sites without cultural interruption were distributed at Zhenjiang during the Holocene that Jingxing Lin, etc.[24] low-lying areas (Figs. 3ü5) with an altitude of 0ü2 m. identified from a borehole core. (It should be pointed out However, there is not any evidence for the transgression that, the investigation[25] indicates that the transgression range of Zhenjiang exists mostly in the region east to

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Fig. 5. Distribution and location of Liangzhu Culture sites (5000 ü4000 aBP) and their altitude (m). 1. Yuanjiadai, Meiyan, Wujiang (0—2); 2. Peng- jialicun, Zhenze, Wujiang (0—2); 3. Jiulihu, Tongli, Wujiang (2—5); 4. Miaogang, Wujiang (0—2); 5. Dasanjin, Tuanjiecun, Hubang, Wujiang (0—2); 6. Tangliwan, Shengdun, Pingwang, Wujiang (0—2); 7. Xinhuadadui, Taoyuan, Zhenze, Wujiang (0—2); 8. Bazitang, Qingyun, Zhenze, Wujiang (0—2); 9. Shantingziwan, Hengtu, Wujiang (2—5); 10. Qidu, Wujiang (2—5); 11. Wangyancun, Yuanping, Wujiang (0—2); 12. Xiangcaohe, Jiuli, Danyang (0—2); 13. Mopandun, Dagang, Dantu (5—10); 14. Yandaishan, Jianbi, Zhenjiang (2—5); 15. Wangjiashan, North of Danyang Railway Sta- tion (5—10); 16. Gaochengdun, Shizhuang, Jiangyin (2—5); 17. Caoxinhe, Nanlou, Qingyang, Jiangyin (2—5); 18. Wanghaidun, Shanguan, Jiangyin (2—5); 19. Taocheng, Zhouzhuang, Jiangyin (2—5); 20. Huangtu, Jiangyin (2—5); 21. Huangtang, Xiagang, Jiangyin (2—5); 22. Chenglicun, Xueyuan, Wujin (2—5); 23. Sidun, Sanhuangmiao, Zhenglu, Wujin (2—5); 24. Tianluotang, Baizhang, Wujin (2—5); 25. Zhengluqiao, Wujin (2—5); 26. Jinjidun, Hutang, Wujin (2—5); 27. Xingang, Xinzha, Changzhou (2—5); 28. Shuimiandadui, Shetou, Jintan (2—5); 29. Xihudadui, Taoxi, Jintan (2—5); 30. Beiganhe, Luocun, Jintan (2—5); 31. Donggang, Zhiqian, Jintan (2—5); 32. Zhongqiao, Chengbei, Jintan (2—5); 33. Yangjiabian, Chating, Liyang (5—10); 34. Donglingshakuang, Shahe, Liyang (5—10); 35. Nandu, Liyang (2—5); 36. Xianlidun, Liangxihe, Wuxi (2—5); 37. Xishan, Wuxi (2—5); 38. Huanhu bridge No. 7, Meiyuan, Wuxi (2—5); 39. Jinchengwan, Dongjiang, Wuxi (2—5); 40. Zhangzhendadui, Luoshe, Wuxi (2—5); 41. Hongqi, Wuxi (2—5); 42. Nanquan, Wuxi (2—5); 43. Zhangjingdadui, Yuanqiao, Wuxi (2—5); 44. Xuwancun, Luyuan, Shazhou (0—2); 45. Sangdun, Tangqiao, Shazhou (2—5); 46. foot of Fenghuangshan, Gangkou, Shazhou (5—10); 47. Xuzhuang, Shazhou (2—5); 48. Yandun, Gaoqiao, Houcheng, Shazhou (2—5); 49. Yangshe, Shazhou (2—5); 50. Tangshi, Shazhou (2—5); 51. Shanghu, Qinnan, Changshu (2—5); 52. Qiandixiang, Xinguang, Xieqiao, Changshu (2—5); 53. Huangtushan, Lingqiao, Mocheng, Changshu (0—2); 54. Jialingdang, Zhangqiao, Changshu (2—5); 55. Fengyangcun, Dayi, Changshu (2—5); 56. Beiluodun, Meili, Changshu (2—5); 57. Tangshi bus station, Changshu (0—2); 58. Malindadiu, Liantang, Changshu (2—5); 59. Baihudun, Fengqiao, Suzhou (2—5); 60. Liudaiqiao, Huqiu, Suzhou (2—5); 61. Caoxieshan, Weiting, Wuxian (2—5); 62. Huashan, Tongan, Wuxian (2—5); 63. Buttom of Chenghu Lake, Wuxian (0— 5); 64. Pingjiangshan, Dongzhu, Wuxian (2—5); 65. Bijiashan, Jinshan, Mudu, Wuxian (2—5); 66. Hushanqiao, Guangfu, Wuxian (2—5); 67. Huannishan, Yinshanqiao, Guoxiang, Wuxian (2—5); 68. Dayaoshan, Yaosheng, Chefang, Wuxian (2—5); 69. Lingjiaxia, Cangshuhuangcun, Wuxian (2—5); 70. Shangfangshan, Wuxian (2—5); 71. Hengjing, Wuxian (2—5); 72. Beichuodun, Zhengyi, Kun- shan (2—5); 73. Shaoqinshan, Northeast of Qiandeng, Kunshan (2—5); 74. Nanrongzhuang, Kunshan railway station (0—2); 75. Dadong kiln, North- east of Chenmu, Kunshan (2—5); 76. Back of Kunshan administration buiding (0—2); 77. West Dianshanhu inning, Chenmu, Kunshan (2—5); 78. Shijiadai, Shipu, Kunshan (2—5); 79. Laomiao, Jiangli, Dashi, Kunshan (0—2); 80. Longtanhu, Bacheng, Kunshan (2—5); 81. Fenghuangshan, Southwest of Danyang (2—5); 82. Fuquanshan, Zhonggu, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 83. Bottom of Dianshan Lake, Southwest Qingpu, Shanghai (0— 5); 84. Tushandun, Zhengdian, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 85. Shecun, Chengdong, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 86. West of Tinglin, Jinshan, Shanghai (0—2); 87. Maqiao, Shanghai (0—2); 88. Zhelin, Fengxian, Shanghai (2—5); 89. Jiefangcun, Luojiajiao, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 90. Shuangqiao, Jiaxing, Zhejiang (0—2); 91. Caodun, Yuxin, Jiaxing, Zhejiang (2—5); 92. Zhijiaqiao, Xinhuang, Jiaxing, Zhejiang (2—5); 93. Luotuodun, Tangnan, Luping, Guijing,Yixing (5—10); 94. Fengxi, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 95. Songze, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 96. Huacheng, Huzhou (2—5); 97. Quemuqiao, Jiaxing, Zhejiang (2—5); 98. Liangzhu Culture site, Yuhang, Zhejiang (2—5); 99. Fanshan, Changmingqiao, Anxi, Yuhang, Zhejiang (2—5); 100. Qianshanyang, South bank of the Grand Cannal, Huzhou, Zhejiang (0—2); 101. Yuecheng, Suzhou (2—5); 102. Zhanglingshan, 2 km Southwest of Luzhi, Wuxian (2—5); 103. Longnan, Meiyan, Wujiang (0—2); 104. Zhaolingshan, Kunshan (0—2); 105. Huangnishan, Kunshan (2—5); 106. Tangmiaocun, Qingpu, Shanghai (0—2); 107. Qiucheng, Huzhou, Zhejiang (0—2); 108. Qiudun, Pinghu, Zhejiang (2—5); 109. Qianjinjiao, Lian- hua, Guodian, Haining (2—5); 110. Xubuqiao, Shiling, Haining (0—2); 111. Shengjiadai, Yanguan, Haining (0—2); 112. Gaojialing, Xiashi, Haining (2—5); 113. Zhouwangmiao Heyedi, Haining (2—5); 114. Dazemiao, Maqiao, Haining (2—5); 115. Sanguandun, Tanqiao, Haining (2—5); 116. Yaoshan, Anxi, Yuhang (2—5); 117. Huangtang, Jiangyin (5—10); 118. Laoheshan, Hangzhou (2—5); 119. Shuitianfan, Hangzhou (2—5); 120. Miao- qian, Liangzhu, Yuhang (2—5); 121. Shangkoushan, Gejiacun, Anxi, Yuhang (2—5); 122. Huiguanshan, Pingyao, Yuhang (5—10); 123. Mojiaoshan site, Yuhang (2—5); 124. Wujiabu ,Yuhang (2—5).

there since 7000 aBP. ample, some coins of "Yibi Money" made from copper in Except aforementioned Songze and Liangzhu cul Chu Country were found on the floor of the Gehu Lake in tural sites at the bed of the Chenghu Lake and Dianshan 1972, and the ancient streets emerged from the Taohu Lake, the Qianshanyang Site is also located at the shallow Lake and Gehu Lake in 1934 because of a severe drought. lake regions in the south of Huzhou. The altitude is only 2 Since these plains are close to the mountainous region, the m. There are considerable quantities of cultural sites long-term downcutting of some rivers led to a pseu- flooded by the lake, and wood articles such as sticks and doconformity of Holocene alluvial, lacustrine sediments bamboo ropes have been found. The site was dated to and peat with late Pleistocene marine layers. The age of 4580f140 aBPü5260f135 aBP and the age of fossil the overlying peat is ca. 6500ü6800 aBP and the basal rice grains is 5260f135 aBP, indicating that no trans- marine stratum is about 24720 aBP. Results of the Yangxi gression occurred in this region since 7000 aBP, and the borehole in Yixing indicate that the age of the underlying [25] area was not an estuary environment . marine sediments was 22302f656 aBP, while the overly- The Taohu and Gehu Lake flooding plain with an ing sapropel sandwiched with peat layers was dated to elevation of 3ü4 m is the most open and flat area in the 4700 aBP. Foraminifera Ammoniabeccarii/tepida Group, west of the Taihu Lake. According to investigations, the Protelphidium and Sinocytheridea latiovata[25] at the bot- beds of Taohu and Gehu Lake are composed of conglom- tom of the borehole, which were also found in the regions erated loess. There are some Neolithic cultural sites and of Jintan, Zhiqian, etc, were most probably reworked, fossil vertebrate bones on the floor of the lakes. For ex- therefore could not indicate a Holocene transgression and

Chinese Science Bulletin Vol. 48 No. 24 December 2003 2677 ARTICLES an embayment environment. Based on analyses of 8 7000 and 5000 aBP, corresponding to the high sea-level boreholes in the Taihu Lake area since the 1980s, Sun et al. period assumed by some geographers. The culture termi- (1993) suggest that the Holocene peat, overlying a late nated about 5000 aBP, but organic mud and swamp Pleistocene loess layer, was formed under freshwater en- sediments related to floods can be found in the archaeo- vironments, and no marine fossils were found. logical stratum in the region. The Maqiao Site, excavated in 1994, is subdivided The diagram of the HI core taken from this site (Fig. into eight layers. Layers 2a, 3 and 5 are cultural layers, 6) shows that this core lays in the center of the site, the layers 2b, 4 and 6 represent cultural interruptions, and whole section was subdivided into 4 cultural layers. Be- layer 8 is a chenier, indicating the ancient coast at around cause the HĊ and Hċ cores are located at the margin of 6000 aBP. No foraminifera were found in layer 6 (the age the site, the first and second cultural layers are not notice- of the middle is 5500 aBP) which is a marker horizon of able and there are less unearthed implements, but in the the formation of land in the region of Shanghai[18]. There- three cores, there are cultural discontinuities containing no fore, all lines of evidence, including landform develop- cultural remains but dark gyttja between the second and ment, fluvial and lacustrine deposits, fossil vertebrate the third cultural layers. bones, micropaleontology and distribution of cultural sites, Tables 1 and 2 are the 14C ages of 22 wood pieces clearly indicate that the Taihu Lake regions in the Yangtze unearthed from four cultural layers dated by the 14C Dat- Delta except the east and south parts (north of the Hang- ing Laboratory of Institute of Archaeology, the Chinese zhou Bay) of sandbar of Maqiao in Shanghai have not Academy of Social Sciences. According to Table 2, the experienced a transgression since 7000 aBP. [26] most excavated implements appeared in the fourth cultural Some scholars reported that foraminifera could be layer of 6955f130 aBPü6570f120 aBP, among which occasionally found in the modern ground surface in the there are 385 pieces of stone tools, 1934 fragments of region of Suzhou and contiguity. According to our analy- bone tools, 328 pieces of wood tools and 191 pottery sis, seawater transgressed along some tide-affected shards. In other layers above the fourth, the amount of reaches or stream valleys containing foraminifera and ma- tools decreases gradually, and bone and wood tools disap- rine Ostracods, which is a usual phenomenon. For in- stance, marine Ostracods appeared in regions near Nan- peared in the first cultural layer of 5330f130 aBP—4700 tong[27] and which are also seen in the estuary of the aBP. Yangtze River. Historical records indicate that seawater There are more than 6700 pieces of cultural relics excavated from the Hemudu Site, including labor and invaded inversely into Suzhou City for 5ü10 km along living tools, primordial artworks, etc. However, it is in- the Wusongjiang River, but it could not serve as the evi- teresting that there are just no weapons such as stone ar- dence of a widespread transgression[25]. rowheads, stone tomahawks, etc., which should exist in 3 Analyses of the Holocene high sea level in the this time. Under this given condition, wooden oars could Ningshao Plain be kept but weapons like wooden lances could not be The following results were obtained from our recent found. research to the Hemudu Site. This site, with an altitude of We analyzed foraminifera and pollen from the three 2.4 m, is located at Hemudu Village of Yuyao City in cores. Table 3 shows micropaleontology identification. It Zhejiang with a cultural layer about 4 m. In addition, by indicates that the marine sapropel layer contains a great archaeological excavation in 1973 and 1977, a great deal deal of foraminifera with the genus of Ammonia beccarii of cultivated rice, timberwork moistureproof-pattern vars (linne), which reflects an inner-shelf shallow sea buildings, wells, potteries, bones, wooden boats and environment with 1ü50 m water depth, whereas there are wooden oars were found from the site with the extent of not any genera of foraminifera found in the cultural layers 40000 m2. From 14C dating of woods and identification from the fourth layer to the earth surface. of fossil rice, we know that the age of the site is about Pollen and sedimentologic analyses indicate that the 7000ü5000 aBP. In April 2001, invited by the local cul- top cultural layer is freshwater swamp sediments, which tural relic branch, we sampled and analyzed three bore- should be able to approve that the Hemudu Culture holes (11 cm in diameter, and 8.5 m, 7.3 m, and 6.5 m emerged and developed during the Holocene high sealevel respectively in depth) of the site. period of 7000ü5000 aBP assumed by some geographers. According to recent field investigations, corings and The abrupt disappearance of the culture around 5000 aBP analyses of foraminifera, pollen, salt-ion content, sedi- reflects that flood should be related to the swamp sedi- mentary and geochemical properties, we found that the ments. primary stratum under the cultural layers with thickness of According to pollen analysis, there are 71 genera 4 m contains a lot of foraminifera, whereas the top layer identified in this site, including 40 genera of arboreal pol- above the culture layers of 4 m is freshwater swamp fancy. It can be proved that the Hemudu culture occurred during

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Fig. 6. Diagram of the HI core of the Hemudu Site.

Table 1 14C ages of the four culture layers of the Hemudu Site Calibrated age with annual Calibrated age with annual Number of samples Culture layers Depth/cm Thickness/cm ring (The earliest) ring (The latest) (Piece) 4700 1 80ü155 10ü105 5330 ± 130 2 (no calibration) 2 120ü186 20ü35 5840 ± 130 5640 ± 130 3 3 210ü255 65ü115 6265 ± 110 5950 ± 120 5 4 325ü380 100ü165 6955 ± 130 6570 ± 120 12

Table 2 Statistics of the main unearthed tools from cultural layers of the Hemudu Site (Unit: number of fragments) The first layer The second layer The third layer The fourth layer (14C age, aBP) Implement (14C age, aBP) (14C age, aBP) (14C age, aBP) 5330 ± 130ü4700 5840 ± 130ü5640 ± 130 6265 ± 110ü5950 ± 120 6955 ± 130ü6955 ± 130 (no calibration) Stone implement 92 119 283 385 Bone implement unseen 49 1014 1934 Carpentry unseen 8 10 328 Pottery 66 23 123 191

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Table 3 Results of micropaleontology to the HI core of the Hemudu Site General and Amount Weight of sample Stratum location Abundance Differentiation species of Distributional environment (Piece) /g and sample number (Piece/g) index foraminifera Euryhaline species are of important significance to indicate continental- Ammonia beccarii oceanic transition facies. The depth of 21 23.6 17 0.90 1 vars.(linne) water is 1ü50 m, which represents littoral-inner shelf shallow sea brack- ish species Ammonia beccarii 45 51.4 18 0.88 1 ditto vars.(linne) Ammonia beccarii 96 79.6 20 1.21 1 ditto vars.(linne) No foraminifera are found in the samples above the fourth cultural layer of the core. len, 30 genera of herb pollen and 10 genera of fern spores Table 4 List of pollen species of archaeological layers in the Tree pollens are all tropic- and subtropical species. Fig. 7 Hemudu Site indicates that the 7-m-long HI core of the Hemudu Site Class/Genera/Species can be subdivided into five pollen zones, which corre- Pinus Papillonaaceae Labiatae spond to the first, second, third, fourth cultural layers and Tsuga Hamamelidaceae Cassia primary stratum. Alnus Ilex Ranunculaceae According to both pollen and foraminifera analyses, we obtain some new information as follows: Picea Corylopsis Gesneriaceae (1) Abundant data from cores reveal that the thick- Cyclobalanopsis Tilia Amaranthaceae ness of the marine layers varies from several meters to Castanea Mallotus Acorus [30] some ten meters and the thickest layer is about 45 m . Castanopsis Trema Umbeelliferae The deepest of the three cores reaches 8.5 m in this study and caesious marine gyttja layers are located under the Quercus Rosa Caryrophllaceae fourth cultural layer with Holocene sediments, although Salix Rutaceae Polygonum its bottom is not seen. Accordingly, during the period of Carinus Rhamnus Typha 10000ü7000 aBP, before the emergence of the Hemudu Betula Apocynaceae Euphorbiaceae Culture, the area was covered by a woodland with major Liquidambar Celtis/Pteroceltis Myriopteris species of Cyclobalanopsis, Quercus, Castanopsis, Cas- tanea, Mallotus, Morus, Juglans, Hamamelidaceae and Michelia Zelkova Angiopteris Myrtaceae. Wetland herbs, such as Acorus, Typha and Magnolia Ulmus Polypodiaceae Cyatheaceae, was also present. According to the analysis Acer Sapindaceae Polypodium of the corresponding fifth pollen zone (480ü700 m), the Rhus Hopea Pyrrosia pollen assemblage shows a south subtropical warm-humid Morus Gramineae Microlepia climate. Considering the presence of plentiful Ammonia beccarii vars˄linne˅from this layer, we suggest that, Juglans Gramineae(B) Cyatheaceae before 7000 aBP, the Ningshao Plain may have been Peterocarya Humulus Pteris transgressed. Platecarya Chenopodiacea Lygodium (2) According to the analysis of the fourth pollen Myrtaceae Compositea Lycopodium zone (360ü480 cm) corresponding to the fourth cultural Symplicos Artemisia Hymenophyllaceae layer, owing to the emergence of the Hemudu civilization in this period (Table 4), the concentration of Gramineae, Pepermia Alsma Loxogramme especially rice (50% of the whole) was abundant, and Ty- Leguminosae Liliaceae pha manifold (15%) and subtropical species, such as Cyclobalanopsis, Mallotus, Trema and Pteroceltis were (280ü360 cm) corresponding to the third cultural layer, still present in considerable amount, suggesting that cli- the concentration of Gramineae is still abundant with 40% mate was warm and wet in this period. But, because no rice, a little lower than that of the former culture layer, and foraminifera was found, we confer that, after marine re- at the same time, more Ulmus, Salix and Chenopodiacea gression, the region had become a freshwater belt which emerged. The above evidence reflects that climate during was favorable for rice agriculture and thus made the He- this period was drier than that of the former period but mudu civilization develop rapidly. was still quite warm, rice cultivation is widely conducted. (3) According to the analysis to the third pollen zone (4) According to the analysis to the second pollen

2680 Chinese Science Bulletin Vol. 48 No. 24 December 2003 ARTICLES Fig. 7. Site. of the HI core of the Hemudu Pollen diagram

Chinese Science Bulletin Vol. 48 No. 24 December 2003 2681 ARTICLES zone (180ü280 cm) corresponding to the second cultural tinuous ages and rice fields in the west region of Taihu layer, the abundance of Pinus is heading for increase, and Lake reveals that the above region was high sea level or those belonging to warm temperate zone such as Zelkova, tide branch during the Holocene Climate Optimum is dif- Betula and Ulmus, etc. also increase. While, pollen con- ficult to be tenabled. All evidence, including landform centration of rice of Gramineae decreases obviously and development, fluvial and lacustrine deposits, fossil verte- more Typha and Ranunculus emerge, which shows that air brate bones, micropaleontology and the distribution of temperature declined a little but the climate was still rather cultural sites, demonstrates clearly that the spacious hin- wet. terland of the Taihu Lake in the Yangtze Delta except (5) According to the analysis of the first pollen zone eastern and southern (north of the Hangzhou Bay) to che- (100ü180 cm) corresponding to the first cultural layer, nier of Maqiao in Shanghai did not suffer from a Holocene herb pollen, such as Artemisia, Compositea, Chenopodi- transgression. Foraminifera since 7000 aBP found in the acea, Humulus and Caryrophllaceae, emerge noticeably river way of low-lying lacustrine plain cannot be used as and arboreal pollen such as Cyclobalanopsis, Salix, Quer- evidence for a wide ranging transgression. cus, Ulmus and Pinus also exist, which indicates that the (4) Evidence of the cultural layers of the Hemudu air temperature was still declining and the climate was Site, dates of the excavated tools, foraminifera and pollen cool. Pollen concentration of rice is lower than that of the from the section of the cores indicate that the Hemudu former periods but increases to a certain extent in the lat- culture emerged and developed during the Holocene Cli- ter stage of the period. mate Optimum and the hypothesis of a high sea level 7000 (6) Because no foraminifera were found in the layers ü5000 aBP in eastern China is difficult to stand, at least above of the first cultural layer and the pollen was domi- in the Ningshao Plain. What archaeological stratigraphy nated by herbs in the Hemudu Site, we think that the can demonstrate should be that before 7000 aBP was a abrupt disappearance of the Hemudu Culture is not related high sea level, 7000ü5000 aBP was a low sea level and to the transgression (sea-level rise) and the gyttja above 5000ü3900 aBP was a flooding period with high fre- the first cultural layer may have been related to catastro- quency. phic flood from 5000 to around 4000 aBP. A widespread (5) The fact of temporal and spatial distribution of legend of the flood-controlling by Dayu and the sites such archaeological sites and the evidence of archaeological as Dayuling temple in this region can be one of the proofs. stratigraphy make clear that the Holocene Climate Opti- 5 Conclusion mum was not corresponding to the high sea level in the Yangtze Delta and Ningshao Plain. The cause of differen- (1) According to the spatial and temporal distribution tial sea-level changes in different areas and the character- of the sites in the Yangtze Delta, there are no Neolithic istics of three-dimension temporal and spatial distribution sites in this region prior to 7000 aBP. However, Neolithic of the Neolithic sites in the region, contains key informa- sites emerged continuously and increased gradually be- tion and scientific significance not only on the aspect of tween 7000 and 4000 aBP, when the prehistoric civiliza- the origin of Chinese civilization, but also on the research tion was flourished. Though affected by flood disasters of the future global sea-level changes. since 7000 aBP in the Yangtze Delta[17,19,20], the distribution of Neolithic sites around Taihu Lake is continuous Acknowledgements The authors are indebted to Prof. Huang Jianrong and manifold gradually. Furthermore, a lot of sites are and Doctor Yu Shiyong who kindly checked the whole English drafts. The authors are also grateful to Zhang Yun and Zhang Qiang who par- distributed in the area with altitude of 0ü2 m even 0ü5 ticipated in the field work in Hemudu Site. This work was supported by m during all periods which is difficult to prove the pres- the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40271103 ence of a transgression and high sea level during 7000ü and 40071083), the University Doctoral Foundation (Grant No. 5000 aBP in the Yangtze Delta. According to the temporal 2000028414), the Physical Geography of “985” Items and the Test Foundation of Nanjing University. and spatial distribution of Neolithic sites and cheniers[18,19,22], the coastline along the Yangtze Delta during References the Holocene Climate Optimum (7000ü5000 aBP) did not reach the east of Maoshan Mountain. So the above 1. 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