Description
Book SynopsisThis book summarizes the latest archeological findings on Liangzhu culture and outlines the rise and fall of Liangzhu society in terms of its environment, flora and fauna. In addition, it seeks to analyze the characteristics of animal breeding and agricultural cultivation in Liangzhu from the perspectives of archeobotany and archeozoology. In turn, it explores the dietary structure and population density, reaching the bold conclusion that the dramatic increase in population gave rise to environmental deterioration and to natural disasters that eventually destroyed the Liangzhu culture.
Table of ContentsChapter I Climate and Environment of Liangzhu Site
1. Human and Nature
1.1 Climate and History
1.2 The mysterious 30 degrees north latitude
2. Rise and fall of Liangzhu Culture
2.1 C-shaped area of Liangzhu Culture
2.2 Chinese paradise: Jiangnan
2.3 Prehistoric Power
3. How to study paleoenvironment
3.1 Book of the earth
3.2 Magical chemical elements and isotopes
3.3 “Invisible” history
Chapter Ⅱ Animal World of Liangzhu Site
1. Zooarchaeology of Liangzhu
1.1 What is zooarchaeology?
1.2 Field sampling
1.3 Laboratory work
2. Long misunderstood Liangzhu animals
2.1 Wild boar or domestic pig?
2.2 Bubalus mephistopheles ≠ Modern buffalo
2.3 Yellow-spotted giant turtle, Taihu lake turtle, lump-head turtle, Sishi turtle, or spotted turtle?
2.4 Chicken or pheasant?
2.5 Sheep, goat, or Capricornus sumatraensis?
3. Liangzhu people keep up with animals
3.1 See big through “small”
3.2 From bones to tools
3.3 Animal images (animal images applied to jadeware and other artwork)
Chapter Ⅲ Plant Paradise of Liangzhu Site
1. Emergence of Archaeobotany
2. Archaeobotany of Liangzhu Site
2.1 Rice farming
2.2 Fruit and vegetable cultivation
2.3 Processing and utilization of wood
2.4 Ingenious building material—Straw-wrapped Mud
