Review
Geography, Physical
Yuchao Zhao, Michael Obie, Brian A. Stewart
Summary: This article reviews recent archaeological and genetic research on the peopling of the Tibetan Plateau, and argues that permanent occupation by foragers before the Holocene was possible. The persistence of indigenous populations and traditional foraging economies after the introduction of domesticate suggest that diffusionist views should be abandoned. The diverse topographies, ecosystems, and cultural traditions found within and surrounding the Plateau played a role in the formation of Plateau civilizations.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongru Wang, Melinda A. Yang, Shargan Wangdue, Hongliang Lu, Honghai Chen, Linhui Li, Guanghui Dong, Tinley Tsring, Haibing Yuan, Wei He, Manyu Ding, Xiaohong Wu, Shuai Li, Norbu Tashi, Tsho Yang, Feng Yang, Yan Tong, Zujun Chen, Yuanhong He, Peng Cao, Qingyan Dai, Feng Liu, Xiaotian Feng, Tianyi Wang, Ruowei Yang, Wanjing Ping, Zhaoxia Zhang, Yang Gao, Ming Zhang, Xiaoji Wang, Chao Zhang, Kai Yuan, Albert Min-Shan Ko, Mark Aldenderfer, Xing Gao, Shuhua Xu, Qiaomei Fu
Summary: By analyzing the genome-wide data of 89 ancient individuals from 29 sites on the Tibetan Plateau, it was discovered that the plateau populations have distinct ancestral lineage and high genetic diversity prior to 2500 B.P. There was evidence of rapid admixture with millet farmers in the Gonghe Basin by 4700 B.P., and population expansion along the Yarlung Tsangpo River since 3400 years ago. Extensive genetic admixture has occurred within the plateau historically, with significant gene flow from lowland East Asia in the past 700 years. The adaptive EPAS1 allele for high-altitude living was found as early as 5100 years ago.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kongyang Zhu, Panxin Du, Jiyuan Li, Jianlin Zhang, Xiaojun Hu, Hailiang Meng, Liang Chen, Boyan Zhou, Xiaomin Yang, Jianxue Xiong, Edward Allen, Xiaoying Ren, Yi Ding, Yiran Xu, Xin Chang, Yao Yu, Sheng Han, Guanghui Dong, Chuan-Chao Wang, Shaoqing Wen
Summary: The ancient genomes from the Dulan site reveal the significant contribution of the Tubo Empire to the formation of modern Tibetans. The study also suggests a potential population movement into the Tubo-controlled regions from Central Asia, indicated by a genetic outlier with dominant Eurasian steppe-related ancestry. The findings provide insights into the cultural and demic diffusion of the Tubo empire on the northeast edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Review
Ecology
Peiqi Zhang, Xinjun Zhang, Xiaoling Zhang, Xing Gao, Emilia Huerta-Sanchez, Nicolas Zwyns
Summary: Recent archaeological and genetic studies suggest early occupation of the Tibetan Plateau by both archaic Denisovans and Homo sapiens, with Denisovan genetic introgression aiding Tibetan populations in adapting to high-altitude environments. Two testable models are proposed to address human settlement on the plateau in the broader context of Homo sapiens dispersal and interactions with Denisovans in Asia.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Caiming Shen, Kam-biu Liu, Lingyu Tang, Jinlan Peng
Summary: A 101-cm core was extracted from a lake in the central Tibetan Plateau, allowing for analysis of the lake's history in terms of vegetation, climate, and environment over the Holocene period. The results of pollen analysis indicate a shift from dense steppe vegetation in the early Holocene to less coverage in the middle Holocene, with the development of marsh meadows and sparse steppe in the lake catchment after 4,100 cal. yr BP. Additionally, changes in temperature, rainfall, lake level, and wildfires were observed throughout different periods, with the establishment of modern climatic and environmental conditions after 4,100 cal. yr BP. Three significant weakening events of the monsoon were detected at approximately 6,700, 5,800, and 4,100 cal. yr BP.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sunmei Jin, Guangliang Hou, Youcheng Chen, Hong Qiao, Bin Han, E. Chongyi, Zhuoma LanCuo, Jingyi Gao, Zhuoma WenDe
Summary: This study reports a newly discovered microlithic site at Daiqu (DQ) in the Tongtian River basin of the central-eastern plateau. The dating results suggest that human activity at DQ began as early as 10.96 ka BP, making it the earliest reported Holocene site with accurate stratigraphic dating on the plateau hinterland to date. The DQ site served as a frequently used seasonal hunting camp, providing quality lithic raw material and processed microliths for prehistoric humans who relied on non-ruminant terrestrial animals as food resources and used it as a transit station for migration between high and low elevations.
PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Nannan Wang, Lina Liu, Xiaohuan Hou, Yanrong Zhang, Haicheng Wei, Xianyong Cao
Summary: The research reveals the vegetation and climate changes on the northeast Tibetan Plateau since the Holocene, indicating different climatic and vegetation conditions during different stages over the past 14.2 thousand years, especially the presence of a climate optimum during the mid-Holocene.
CLIMATE OF THE PAST
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Can Zhang, Cheng Zhao, Shi-Yong Yu, Xiangdong Yang, Jun Cheng, Xiaojian Zhang, Bin Xue, Ji Shen, Fahu Chen
Summary: The Tibetan Plateau is one of the most sensitive areas to global climate changes. Research shows that the warming during the Last Deglaciation was primarily driven by rising atmospheric greenhouse gases, while Holocene temperature changes were mainly controlled by local seasonal insolation and additional radiative forcing of greenhouse gases.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Duo Wu, Xuyi Ma, Zijie Yuan, Aubrey L. Hillman, Jiawu Zhang, Jianhui Chen, Aifeng Zhou
Summary: This article summarizes and compares 20 Holocene lacustrine carbonate δ^18O records from lakes across the Tibetan Plateau and investigates the factors and trends of hydroclimate variations. The study finds that long-term variations of lake δ^18O records are primarily influenced by moisture sources, and different regions show distinct trends in variations.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yongqiang Guo, Yonggang Ge, Peng Cui, Xiaoqing Chen, Peini Mao, Tao Liu, Liang Zhou
Summary: The study on tufa deposits in the ETP area reveals their sensitivity in recording regional hydroclimate changes, especially during the early and mid-Holocene. The presence of dirty tufa layers indicates that strong monsoon rainfall events triggered flood-rich periods during the early and mid-Holocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Liangqing Cheng, Linhai Yang, Hao Long, Yougui Song, Zhong Chen, Minwen Lan, Mengping Xie, Zhibao Dong
Summary: This study analyzed an aeolian loess-sand sequence from the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley in the southern Tibetan Plateau to understand the variation of dust activity. The results showed that the dust activity frequency was low during the Early Holocene represented by stable loess deposits, while it was high during the cold-dry Younger Dryas period. This variation is likely related to changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) phase as a response to solar irradiance forcing.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yixuan Wang, Guoqiang Li, Xiaoyan Wang, Zhongfeng Yan, Caixin Qin, Jilei Yang, He Yang, Yanqing Deng, Long Pan, Chunzhu Chen, Wenwei Zhao, Guangliang Hou
Summary: The increased frequency of flooding on the Tibetan Plateau as a result of global warming has affected human settlements in the river valleys. This study investigated the relationship between human settlement, climate change, and flooding using various dating methods. The results show that flooding events increased during certain periods, coinciding with the occurrence of cultural layers and a moist and warm climate. The findings highlight the significance of flooding in shaping human settlement on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Liangqing Cheng, Linhai Yang, Hao Long, Jingran Zhang, Xiaodong Miao, Yubin Wu, Minwen Lan, Yougui Song, Zhibao Dong
Summary: In this study, a 3.0-m aeolian sedimentary sequence from the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley in the southern Tibetan Plateau was analyzed to understand the changes in South Asian winter monsoon (SAWM) and its relationship with the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM). The results showed an anti-phase relationship between the SASM and SAWM during the late Holocene, with the SASM strengthening significantly at -2 ka and the SAWM weakening at -1.3 ka. This inverse monsoonal behavior may be attributed to the migration of Intertropical Convergence Zone. Furthermore, a strong SASM and weak SAWM after -1.3 ka facilitated human activities in the southern Tibetan Plateau and enhanced dust activity in Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhuoma Wende, Guangliang Hou, Hongming Chen, Sunmei Jin, Lancuo Zhuoma
Summary: Human activities have had a strong impact on the environment of the Tibetan Plateau, particularly in the northeastern region. This study uses simulation and analysis of pollen records and other proxies to investigate the influence of human activities on forest dynamics. The results show significant expansion of coniferous forests in the Early to Mid Holocene, followed by contraction and degradation in the Late Holocene. Anthropogenic proxies indicate increasing exploitation of forests and changes in vegetation after 5.3 ka BP. This study provides new insights into deforestation on the Northeast Tibetan Plateau in the Holocene.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingjian Liang, Yun Dong, Cheng Liao, Yulong Qin, Huiping Zhang, Weiwei Wu, Hong Zuo, Wenying Zhou, Changli Xiong, Li Yang, Yue Gong, Tian Li
Summary: This study examined the geomorphological and geological characteristics of the Wudaoliang-Changshagongma fault in the southern Bayan Har Block of the Tibetan Plateau using high-resolution imagery and digital elevation model data. The study found that the average horizontal slip rate of the fault is 2.6 +/- 0.6 mm/a, similar to other faults in the block. The results also indicated the occurrence of four paleoearthquake events and suggested that faults within the block regulate tectonic deformation in the Bayan Har Block.
Article
Geography, Physical
Veit Nottebaum, Georg Stauch, Jorien L. N. van der Wal, Anja Zander, Frank Schluetz, Lyudmila Shumilovskikh, Klaus Reicherter, Ochirbat Batkhishig, Frank Lehmkuhl
Summary: This study investigates the late Quaternary development of the sedimentary system of Orog Nuur Basin in southern Mongolia, revealing the palaeoenvironmental changes and multiple lake level variations. Through paleoshoreline mapping and dating, researchers identified the lake level history and found the expansions during late MIS 5 and MIS 3 were of similar magnitude. The study highlights the valuable landscape and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions offered by the Orog Nuur Basin archives for supraregional comparisons.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sara Silvestrini, Matteo Romandini, Giulia Marciani, Simona Arrighi, Lisa Carrera, Andrea Fiorini, Juan Manuel Lopez-Garcia, Federico Lugli, Filomena Ranaldo, Viviane Slon, Laura Tassoni, Owen Alexander Higgins, Eugenio Bortolini, Antonio Curci, Matthias Meyer, Michael Christian Meyer, Gregorio Oxilia, Andrea Zerboni, Stefano Benazzi, Enza Elena Spinapolice
Summary: This study presents multidisciplinary analyses of Late Mousterian and Uluzzian evidence from the Rock Shelter of Uluzzo C in Apulia, southern Italy. The results reveal lithic technology, zooarchaeology, ancient DNA, and palaeoproteomics data, shedding light on the environment and cultural practices during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
E. E. Spinapolice, A. Zerboni, M. C. Meyer, S. Talamo, G. S. Mariani, L. A. Gliganic, L. Buti, M. Fusco, M. P. Maiorano, S. Silvestrini, R. Sorrentino, A. Vazzana, M. Romandini, A. Fiorini, A. Curci, S. Benazzi
Summary: This study investigates the new chronology and stratigraphy of Uluzzo C, a key site for the Uluzzian technocomplex in southern Italy, refining the cultural sequence known from previous excavations and providing dates for the onset of Uluzzian in the area and the disappearance of Neanderthals in that part of Italy. Results suggest that most of the sediment at the site formed after dismantling of the rock shelter's vault, with contributions from wind-blown loess and occasional hydrological reactivations. The OSL ages obtained align with previously published radiocarbon ages, confirming the timing of the Uluzzian and the end of the Mousterian in the region.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lyudmila S. Shumilovskikh, Elena S. Shumilovskikh, Frank Schluetz, Bas van Geel
Summary: Non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) are biological remains found in palynological slides, including algae, fungi, shells, invertebrate resting stages, and eggs. The Non-Pollen Palynomorph Image Database (NPP-ID) aims to gather NPP knowledge to assist identification and paleoecological interpretation.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Juliane Scheder, Friederike Bungenstock, Kristin Haynert, Anna Pint, Frank Schluetz, Peter Frenzel, Achim Wehrmann, Helmut Brueckner, Max Engel
Summary: This study investigates Holocene RSL change on the East Frisian North Sea coast using a new approach and high resolution data, applying a transfer function based on benthic foraminifers and ostracods for the first time. The resulting RSL curve shows a deceleration in RSL rise between 6000 and 5000 cal bp, with the smallest possible error envelope coming from salt-marsh layers between 5000 and 4000 cal bp. The study helps to fill the common data gaps in peat-based curves for the southern North Sea and confirms regional differences in glacial isostatic adjustment.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Caleb K. Chen, Luis Flores-Blanco, Randall Haas
Summary: Archaic projectile points from the Andean Altiplano show an interesting trend of increasing size over time, potentially compensating for lost dart momentum and accuracy due to wood scarcity. Experiment results indicate that point enlargement significantly reduces penetration depth, but may positively correlate with accuracy.
LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Frank Schluetz, Felix Bittmann
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sheina Lew-Levy, Rachel Reckin, Stephen M. Kissler, Ilaria Pretelli, Adam H. Boyette, Alyssa N. Crittenden, Renee Hagen, Randall Haas, Karen L. Kramer, Jeremy Koster, Matthew J. O'Brien, Koji Sonoda, Todd A. Surovell, Jonathan Stieglitz, Bram Tucker, Noa Lavi, Kate Ellis-Davies, Helen E. Davis
Summary: This paper investigates how environmental factors and gender differences are associated with child and adolescent time allocation in hunter-gatherer and mixed-subsistence forager societies. The findings suggest that children and their caregivers adjust their activities to facilitate the early acquisition of knowledge and safely cooperate with adults in different social and ecological environments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Biographical-Item
Plant Sciences
Hermann Behling, Lydie M. Dupont, Susanne Jahns, Frank Schluetz, Joerg Christiansen, Felix Bittmann
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Correction
Plant Sciences
Lyudmila S. Shumilovskikh, Elena S. Shumilovskikh, Frank Schluetz, Bas van Geel
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Michael L. L. Terlep, Francis E. E. Smiley, Randall Haas
Summary: Anthropological research suggests that emergent food-producing economies often led to high levels of inequality in human societies, as seen in the use of jewelry made from precious minerals among early agricultural populations. This study reports the discovery of necklaces made from scarab beetle femora, indicating a connection between emergent agriculture and inequality in the Basketmaker II culture. These jewelry items were likely visual signals of socioeconomic status that emerged during a period of surplus food production and growing wealth accumulation.
AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Thomas J. Snyder, Randall Haas
Summary: The archaeological study of pre-contact Andes offers valuable insights into human responses to climate change. By analyzing skeletal trauma incidence and ice accumulation rates, the research finds that climate change has a significant impact on interpersonal violence in the highlands, but not in coastal or mid-elevation areas, likely due to different economic and sociopolitical strategies at different elevations.
QUATERNARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wiebke Kirleis, Marta Dal Corso, Galyna Pashkevych, Frank Schluetz, Robert Hofmann, Andreea Terna, Stefan Dreibrodt, Vitalii Rud, Mykhailo Y. Y. Videiko, Johannes Mueller
Summary: We provide a comprehensive characterization of the subsistence economy of Chalcolithic Cucuteni-Trypillia societies through the analysis of archaeobotanical samples and ancient crop residue stable isotopic analysis. These analyses reveal specific cultivation strategies and a close relationship between agriculture and animal husbandry. Our findings suggest that the Trypillia mega-sites had an elaborate agricultural system that allowed them to grow crops suitable for the ecological constraints of the forest steppe ecotone, and the agglomeration of population at these sites contributed to landscape change from woodland to grassland and steppe. The cultivation practices of the CTS were important in establishing the present-day cultural steppe in this region.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley Smallwood, Randall Haas, Thomas Jennings
Summary: Approximately 9000 years ago at the site of Wilamaya Patjxa in the Andean highlands, both male and female individuals were buried with projectile points, suggesting that large-mammal hunting was a gender neutral activity within that community. A lithic usewear analysis confirmed that the projectile points were indeed used as intended, and also revealed evidence of cutting and hide scraping activities. A new radiocarbon date showed that the male and female individuals were contemporaries, indicating that they existed around the same time between 9.0 and 8.7 cal. ka. These findings support the model of early subsistence practices where both genders participated in hunting large mammals at Wilamaya Patjxa.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Nathaniel Kitchel, Mark S. Aldenderfer, Randall Haas
Summary: The process of Neolithization involved domestication, sedentarization, and technology change, occurring in various combinations at different times and places globally. A study in the Lake Titicaca Basin in Peru suggests that the strongest signal in lithic technology change is related to the introduction of archery technology, with signals for subsistence change and declining mobility being relatively weak. The findings indicate an early adoption of archery technology in the Terminal Archaic Period, with major transitions in mobility and diet likely occurring subsequently.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY
(2022)
