Phytolith analysis of Naminan archaeological site in Jinghong City,Yunnan Province

The global climate underwent tremendous changes during the transition from the Last Glacial Period to the Holocene. At almost the same time, human society transitioned from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic. Therefore, the relationship between climate change and human activity during this period has become a research hotspot.Yunnan Province is a region with a great abundance of Paleolithic archaeological sites in China; however, Neolithic sites are relatively few. There has also been relatively little research on paleoclimatic conditions during the Paleolithic-Neolithic transition in Yunnan. Phytoliths, as a highly durable and long-lasting form of plant microfossils, can be an important means for reconstructing paleoclimates. In this study, we examined the Naminan site in Jinghong, which was occupied during the transitional period from the Paleolithic to Neolithic. Based on our analysis of the phytolith record at Naminan, we reconstructed the climatic conditions for each of the archaeological strata and discussed possible human activities. The results show that Naminan experienced a sequence of warming followed by cooling and warming, which is consistent with previous paleoclimate research in other areas of Yunnan Province.     

The record of cultivated rice from archaeobiological evidence in northwestern China 5000 years ago

Pollen, plant seeds and phytoliths from an AMS dated sediment profile at the Xishanping site indicate that the cultivation of rice might start no later than 5070 cal. a BP in the region of Tianshui, Gansu Province. It continued from 5070 to 4300 cal. a BP. This is so far the oldest and the most northwestern record of cultivated rice in Neolithic China, which extends the known region of prehistoric rice cultivation at least 2° longitude to the west. This finding provides important evidence for reconstructing the cultivation region of rice at 5000 a BP （an important time period）, and its spreading history in East Asia, during the Neolithic.     

The temporal and spatial distribution of ancient rice in China and its implications

The relics of ancient rice have been regarded as the most important objective evidence of the origina- tion and spread of rice cultivation.Based on the records of 280 rice relics sites and the rice cropping regionalization as well as the distribution map of paddy soils,the current study compiled the temporal and spatial distribution map of ancient rice distribution in China.The map shows that the distribution of ancient rice is spatially extensive and meantime comparatively concentrated,temporarily covering a long and relatively continuous time-span.The rice relics in the Central China double and single rice cropping regions are among the earliest and the most abundant ones,possessing continuity in time sequence.Combined with the discovery of ancient rice and paddy filed relics,soil micromorphology, pollen combination and element geochemistry,it is suggested that Central China was the origin center of rice cultivation in China.Rice had been spread to the rest part of China in three major waves,also to the East Asian part like Korea and Japan.The temporal and spatial distribution of ancient rice reflects the past environmental change,which is also meaningful to the current rice regionalization and plan- ning as well as food security in China.     

Development of ancestors‘ cultivation revealed in phytolith assembalages from Guangfulin relics

Shanghai Museum has got great achievements in re-excavating Guangfulin relics.It is the first time that the cultural remains of Wangyoufang type is found above the Liangzhu cultural remains which comes from East Henan Province,providing previous materials for researching culture evolution around Taihu Lake.Samples were taken from the immature soil layer and cultural layers of Guangfulin relics for phytolith analysis.According to the systemic research for the archaeological remains and phytolith fossil,the phytoliths in Guangfulin relics can be divided into four xones.The development of rice agriculture and living condition of Guangfulin ancestors was discussed based on the existing rice fan-shaped phytolith,rice shell phytolith.diatom fossil and archaeology,evidence in the same layer.The Guangfulin relics has gradually developed since a high sea level 5000 years ago,and the broad rice agriculture has simultaneously developed.The newly re-excavated relics provides valuable materials for the research of ancestors and ancient culture in Shanghai.     

Development of ancestors'''' cultivation revealed in phytolith assemblages from Guangfulin relics

1 Survey The Changjiang Delta Region is one of the cradles of the national culture. 300 cultural sites of Neolithic, which separately belong to 4 archaeology cultural styles, includ-ing Majiabang culture (7—6 kaBP), Songze culture (6—5 kaBP), Liangzhu culture (5—4 kaBP) and Maqiao culture (4—3 kaBP), were excavated and represent the develop-ing steps of continuous ancient culture[1]. After 1949 the archaeologists in Shanghai have been doing a great deal of excavation to ancient rel…     

Ancient DNA sequences of rice from the low Yangtze reveal significant genotypic divergence

Rice (Oryza sativa) was first domesticated in the lower and middle Yangtze regions of China, and rice remains have been found in many Chinese archaeological sites. Until now, only phenotypic archeobotanical evidence, such as the spikelet bases of ancient grains, has been used to speculate on the domestication process and domestication rate of rice. In this study, we sequenced 4 genomic segments from rice remains in Tianluoshan, a site of the local Hemudu Neolithic culture in the low Yangtze and two other archaeological sites (~2400 and 1200 BC, respectively). We compared our sequences with those of the current domesticated and wild rice (O. rufipogon) populations. At least two genotypes were found in the remains from each site, suggesting a heterozygotic state of the rice seeds. One ancient genotype was not found in the current domesticated population and might have been lost. The rice remains belonged to the japonica group, and most if not all were japonica-type, suggesting that the remains might be at an early stage of indica-japonica divergence or an indica-japonica mixture. We also identified sequences with significant similarity to those from species of Sapindales, Zygophyllales, and Brassicales, which is consistent with the identification of other plant remains in the Tianluoshan site and the common rice field weeds such as mustards in southern China.     

Origin of the Chinese cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The following new research progresses are summarized and discussed, which are related to 3 main problems in origin of rice cultivation in China: 1. new hypothesis of rice cultivation in China— middle Yangtze River and upper Huai River regions; 2. primitive cultivated rice and the strengthen period of domestication; 3. genetic diversity centers of cultivated rice in China; 4. China and South Asia might be two independent systems of origin and differentiation of Asian cultivated rice; 5. morphological classification of common wild rice of China; 6. primitive progenitor of common wild rice; 7. direct progenitor of cultivated rice; 8. present or not the annual wild rice in China; 9. differentiation or not the common wild rice into Indica and Japonica; 10. origin and differentiation of Indica and Japonica.     

Carbon sequestration within millet phytoliths from dry-farming of crops in China

Phytoliths are noncrystalline minerals that form inside cells and cell walls of different parts of plants. Organic carbon in living cells can be occluded in phytoliths during plant growth. It has been documented that the occluded carbon within phytoliths is an important long-term terrestrial carbon reservoir that has a major role in the global carbon cycle. Common millet and foxtail millet have become typical dry-farming crops in China since the Neolithic Age. The study of carbon conservation within phytoliths in these crops could provide insights into anthropogenic influences on the carbon cycle. In this study, we analyzed the carbon content in phytoliths of common millet and foxtail millet. The results indicated that (1) common millet and foxtail millet contained 0.136% ± 0.070% and 0.129% ± 0.085% phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) on a dry mass basis, respectively; (2) based on the mean annual production of common millet and foxtail millet in the last 10 years, the phytolith occluded carbon accumulation rate of common millet and foxtail millet was approximately 0.023 ± 0.015 and 0.020 ± 0.010 t CO 2 ha 1 a 1 , respectively; (3) assuming a similar phytolith occluded carbon accumulation rate as for common millet (the highest accumulation rate was 0.038 t CO 2 ha 1 a 1 ), this could result in the sequestration of 2.37 × 10 6 t CO 2 per year for the 62.4 × 10 6 ha dry-farming crops in China. Although there was a decline in the annual production rate and planting area of foxtail millet during 1949 to 2008, the total phytolith carbon sequestration rate was 7×10 6 t CO 2 within the 60-year period. However, phytolith occluded carbon has not yet been fully considered as a global carbon sink. Also, this carbon fraction is probably one of the best candidates for the missing carbon sink.     

植物硅酸体分析在农业考古中的应用

植物硅酸体，又称植硅石（ｐｈｙｔｏｌｉｔｈ），是指高等植物细胞中发育的硅质颗粒，易鉴定且较易被保存在考古地层和遗物中。许多栽培植物能够产生具属种一级鉴定特征的植物硅酸体。通过考古土壤等样品的硅酸体分析，能够较好地恢复史前农耕面貌与特点。目前，已有一些栽培植物的硅酸体形态得到了较好的研究，当代考古植物学家也有一些成功的研究范例。植物硅酸体分析，将在农业考古研究中发挥重要的作用。     

Fire and flood management of coastal swamp enabled first rice paddy cultivation in east China

The adoption of cereal cultivation was one of the most important cultural processes in history, marking the transition from hunting and gathering by Mesolithic foragers to the food-producing economy of Neolithic farmers. In the Lower Yangtze region of China, a centre of rice domestication, the timing and system of initial rice cultivation remain unclear. Here we report detailed evidence from Kuahuqiao that reveals the precise cultural and environmental context of rice cultivation at this earliest known Neolithic site in eastern China, 7,700 calibrated years before present (cal. yr bp). Pollen, algal, fungal spore and micro-charcoal data from sediments demonstrate that these Neolithic communities selected lowland swamps for their rice cultivation and settlement, using fire to clear alder-dominated wetland scrub and prepare the site for occupation, then to maintain wet grassland vegetation of paddy type. Regular flooding by slightly brackish water was probably controlled by 'bunding' to maintain crop yields. The site's exploitation ceased when it was overwhelmed by marine inundation 7,550 cal. yr bp. Our results establish that rice cultivation began in coastal wetlands of eastern China, an ecosystem vulnerable to coastal change but of high fertility and productivity, attractions maximized for about two centuries by sustained high levels of cultural management of the environment.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Bronze Age horses recovered from Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia, China

In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was carried out on 9 Bronze Age horses recovered from Dashanqian and Jinggouzi archaeological sites in Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia. China to explore the origin of Chinese domestic horses. Both mtDNA 16S rRNA gene and control region (D-loop) fragments of ancient horses were amplified and sequenced. The analysis of the highly conservative 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the burial environment of Chifeng region is suitable for the preservation of ancient DNA (aDNA). Combing 465 mtDNA D-loop sequences representing different breeds from East Asia, Central Asia, Near East and Europe, we constructed a phylogenetic network to investigate the relationship between ancient and modern horses. The phylogenetic network showed that the 9 horses were distributed into different modern horse clusters which were closely related to them representing a certain geographical distribution. Our results showed that the maternal genetic line of the ancient horses in Chifeng region was highly diversified, which contributed to the gene pool of modern domestic horses and suggested a complex origin of domestic horses in China.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Bronze Age horses recovered from Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia, China

In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was carried out on 9 Bronze Age horses recovered from Dashanqian and Jinggouzi archaeological sites in Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia. China to explore the origin of Chinese domestic horses. Both mtDNA 16S rRNA gene and control region (D-loop) fragments of ancient horses were amplified and sequenced. The analysis of the highly conservative 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the burial environment of Chifeng region is suitable for the preservation of ancient DNA (aDNA). Combing 465 mtDNA D-loop sequences representing different breeds from East Asia, Central Asia, Near East and Europe, we constructed a phylogenetic network to investigate the relationship between ancient and modern horses. The phylogenetic network showed that the 9 horses were distributed into different modern horse clusters which were closely related to them representing a certain geographical distribution. Our results showed that the maternal genetic line of the ancient horses in Chifeng region was highly diversified, which contributed to the gene pool of modern domestic horses and suggested a complex origin of domestic horses in China.     

Stalagmite-inferred Holocene precipitation in northern Guizhou Province,China, and asynchronous termination of the Climatic Optimum in the Asian monsoon territory

An absolute-dated, bi-decadal-resolution, stalagmite oxygen-isotopic time series from Shigao Cave reveals the evolution of summer monsoon precipitation over the past 9.9 ka BP in northern Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The  18O-inferred climate conditions are divisible into three distinct stages: (1) a maximum humid era from 9.9-6.6 ka BP; (2) a gradual declining precipitation interval between 6.6-1.6 ka BP; and (3) a relatively low precipitation time window after 1.6 ka BP. Consistency of contemporaneous stalagmite Holocene 18O records between Shigao and other caves in the Indian and East Asian monsoon realms support the effect of primary orbital solar forcings on monsoonal precipitation. However, statistical analysis shows a significant spatial asynchroneity of the Holocene Optimum termination in the Asian monsoon territory. The Holocene Optimum ended at 7.2-7.4 ka BP in Oman, located in the Indian monsoon region, and at 5.6-5.8 ka BP in Central China, in the East Asian monsoon zone. In Southwest China, the termination occurred between these periods, at 6.6-7.0 ka BP, and was influenced by both monsoon systems. We propose that this spatially asynchronous ending of Holocene Optimum in Asia may be attributed to sea surface temperature changes in the western tropical Pacific, which is a primary moisture source for the East Asian monsoon.     

典型喀斯特区稻田土壤重金属Cd、Pb污染及膳食风险评价

为探究典型喀斯特粮食产区稻田土壤和稻谷重金属（Cd、Pb）的污染现状及膳食摄入风险,本研究选取黔中腹地贵州省息烽县作为研究区,采用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合指数法和地累积指数法对该区53组稻田土壤样品的重金属（Cd、Pb）含量进行分析和评价,并利用危险商（HQ）法对研究区稻谷进行膳食摄入风险评价。结果表明：息烽县稻田土壤中重金属含量表现为Pb>Cd,Pb和Cd的平均含量分别为33.74 mg·kg^-1和0.42 mg·kg^-1,均低于国家农业土壤限制值;单因子污染指数（P_i）的平均值均小于1,说明多数样品点位处于无污染水平;内梅罗综合指数法评价结果显示,息烽县稻田土壤中存在中度重金属综合污染现象;地累积指数法结果显示,息烽县90%以上土壤属于无污染级别,稻田土壤中无显著的重金属累积迹象。稻田土壤和稻谷中Cd、Pb变异系数均处于强变异,稻田土壤中Cd、Pb呈显著正相关关系。膳食评价结果显示,稻谷中Cd、Pb的平均危险商值表现为Pb相似文献   

High genetic diversity of Tibetan Mastiffs revealed by mtDNA sequences

Many studies have been reported the origin and evolution of domesticated animals, particularly dogs, however, few have system-atically examined the Tibetan Mastiff (TM), a dog that lives primarily in the Qing-Tibet Plateau. Here, we study the origin and evolution of TM based on the population comparison of mtDNA D-loop sequences from TM and other dogs across the world. Intriguingly, non-simultaneous arrivals of Tibetan Mastiffs ancestors to Tibet occurred, which may result from continuous Tibetans’ settlement on Qing-Tibet Plateau supported by archaeological and genetic evidence. High genetic and haplotype diversity and robust haplotypes sharing with other dogs unique to East Asia are observed in Tibetan Mastiff, supporting that it is a very archaic breed derived probably from East Asia.     

A draft sequence of the rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indicd) genome

The sequence of the rice genome holds fundamental information for its biology, including physiology, genetics, development, and evolution, as well as information on many beneficial phenotypes of economic significance. Using a “whole genome shotgun” approach, we have produced a draft rice genome sequence ofOryza sativa ssp.indica, the major crop rice subspecies in China and many other regions of Asia. The draft genome sequence is constructed from over 4.3 million successful sequencing traces with an accumulative total length of 2214.9 Mb. The initial assembly of the non-redundant sequences reached 409.76 Mb in length, based on 3.30 million successful sequencing traces with a total length of 1797.4 Mb from anindica variant cultivar93-11, giving an estimated coverage of 95.29% of the rice genome with an average base accuracy of higher than 99%. The coverage of the draft sequence, the randomness of the sequence distribution, and the consistency of BIG-ASSEMBLER, a custom-designed software package used for the initial assembly, were verified rigorously by comparisons against finished BAC clone sequences from bothindica andjapanica strains, available from the public databases. Over all, 96.3% of full-length cDNAs, 96.4% of STS, STR, RFLP markers, 94.0% of ESTs and 94.9% unigene clusters were identified from the draft sequence. Our preliminary analysis on the data set shows that our rice draft sequence is consistent with the comman standard accepted by the genome sequencing community. The unconditional release of the draft to the public also undoubtedly provides a fundamental resource to the international scientific communities to facilitate genomic and genetic studies on rice biology. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

Ancient DNA sequences of rice from the low Yangtze reveal significant genotypic divergence

Rice (Oryza sativa) was first domesticated in the lower and middle Yangtze regions of China, and rice remains have been found in many Chinese archaeological sites. Until now, only phenotypic archeobotanical evidence, such as the spikelet bases of ancient grains, has been used to speculate on the domestication process and domestication rate of rice. In this study, we sequenced 4 genomic segments from rice remains in Tianluoshan, a site of the local Hemudu Neolithic culture in the low Yangtze and two other archaeological sites (??2400 and 1200 BC, respectively). We compared our sequences with those of the current domesticated and wild rice (O. rufipogon) populations. At least two genotypes were found in the remains from each site, suggesting a heterozygotic state of the rice seeds. One ancient genotype was not found in the current domesticated population and might have been lost. The rice remains belonged to the japonica group, and most if not all were japonica-type, suggesting that the remains might be at an early stage of indica-japonica divergence or an indica-japonica mixture. We also identified sequences with significant similarity to those from species of Sapindales, Zygophyllales, and Brassicales, which is consistent with the identification of other plant remains in the Tianluoshan site and the common rice field weeds such as mustards in southern China.     

中国冬季降水对东亚春季O3强弱信号的响应

 利用欧洲中心(ECMWF)ERA-Interim提供的1979—2013年的O₃、温度和位势高度逐月资料及国家气候中心的160站的逐月降水资料,采用EOF分析、相关分析和合成差值分析等方法,分析了东亚春季臭氧的时空变化特征及中国冬季降水对东亚春季O3强弱信号的响应.研究发现：①通过EOF分析可知,东亚春季O₃主要有3种变化特征：其一是东亚春季不同时间的O₃随着纬度的增加而增加（或减少）.其二是青藏高原是一个O₃异常信号较强的地区.其三是鄂霍次克海以西的内陆地区和中国东北部地区的春季O₃异常信号最强,且这两地区的异常信号位相相反.②东亚春季O₃强时,中国冬季降水从西到东呈现了“多-少-多-少-多-少”的分布.这种响应显著的区域位于北方和内陆地区,而中国的东南地区较弱.这就说明,东亚春季O₃对中国冬季降水是有一定的影响的.O₃是如何引起中国冬季降水出现这种波列分布的原因尚有待于进一步的研究.③选取了6个层次分别代表平流层和对流层来开展研究.从相应于O₃强弱年的温压场分析来看,北半球冬季的温度场和位势高度场的合成差值在中高纬度都呈现了波列的分布,在平流层呈“正-负-正”分布,在对流层呈“负-正-负-正-负”分布,且这种温压场对O₃变化的响应在50、100、500hPa和700hPa层次最为显著.据此推测,东亚春季O3变化会引起北半球的温度场和位势高度场的调整,从而使得中国冬季降水分布出现异常.
     

大米薄膜保鲜技术研究

以小站稻大米越选3#为试材,采取定量气流法,研究气调保鲜的阈值、不同气体环境对大米品质指标变化的影响.根据大米的生理特点,研制防霉、防潮、延缓陈化大米专用保鲜膜.研究结果表明,大米对膜的阻隔性能要求极严格,大米PVC专用保鲜膜的最适透气比0ρ为1.3-7.0,并筛选出防霉、延缓潮和防陈化的专用PVC保鲜膜.     

Plant microremains provide direct evidence for the functions of stone knives from the Lajia site,northwestern China

A large number of stone knives have been recovered from Neolithic archaeological sites in East Asia. However, direct evidence regarding the functions of the stone knives has been scarce, and hence, their functions have remained controversial. In this study, we recovered and analysed ancient starch grains and phytoliths from residues adhering to stone knives excavated from the Lajia site, Qinghai Province, northwest China, thus providing direct evidence for the functions of the knives. Our anal- yses were based on the following： （1） an assemblage of 278 identifiable starch grains, representing grains from the stems of foxtail millet （Setaria italica） and broomcorn millet （Panicum miliaceum） （65.1% of the total） and the stems of Hordeum and Triticum species （3.6 % of the total）, and （2） an assemblage of 361 identifiable phytoliths, the majority of which were from the stems and leaves of plants such as Panicoideae and related taxa （96 % of the total）. Our study demonstrates that one of the functions of the stone knives was the harvesting crops. In addition, a few starch grains from food legumes and roots （3.4 % of the total） indicate that the stone knives were also likely used to process, peel and cut some foods.