Winter-to-summer seasonal migration of microlithic human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Abstract

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has become a valuable site for investigation of adaptive regimes of prehistoric humans to extreme environments. At present most studies have focused solely on a single site. Using a more integrated approach that covers the complete scope of the plateau is needed to better understand the expansion logic of prehistoric humans moving towards the plateau. Here, we conducted accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dating of two microlithic sites. Canxiongashuo (CXGS) and Shalongka (SLK), which are located at the inner and marginal areas of the QTP, respectively. By using geographic information system, literature, and natural environmental factors, we constructed a model for the relationship between traveling distance and time, and we also used these factors to construct a plateau environmental index. The results indicated that the ages of the CXGS and SLK sites are 8.4–7.5 cal. ka BP and 8.4–6.2 cal. ka BP, respectively. Combining the archaeological evidence and literature, hunter-gatherers may have seasonal migration activities at low altitude in winter and high altitude in summer in order to make full use of natural resources. Our model of relationship between traveling distance and time shows that hunter-gatherers in CXGS site was active on the plateau all year-round at approximately 8.3 cal. ka BP. According to EI and archaeological remains, we propose that SLK site was a winter camp of prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Taken together, we determined 8.4–6.0 cal. ka BP as a transitional period from the Paleolithic to Neolithic Ages, and winter camps of hunter-gatherers evolved into settlements in the Neolithic Age.

Prehistoric human occupation and adaptation on the hinterland of the Tibetan Plateau in the Early Holocene

“…a BP. Dating at other sites in the hinterland of the Tibetan Plateau suggest hunter-gatherers were frequently active in the more environmentally extreme zone from 9 ka (Chen et al, 2020, Hou et al, 2020). The results from DQ provide the earliest accurate stratigraphic dating of Holocene human activity remains on the hinterland of the plateau that have been reported to date.…”

“…Climate change is considered an important factor contributing to the spread of prehistoric humans to the Tibetan Plateau (Chen et al, 2020, Hou et al, 2020), with several studies showing that rapid expansion of populations to higher altitudes in the early to mid-Holocene was facilitated by improved climatic conditions (Chen et al, 2020). At the beginning of the Holocene, solar radiation in the northern hemisphere intensified (Laskar et al, 2004), the Asian monsoon strengthened (Dykoski et al, 2005), and the palaeo-environmental record at several locations indicates that most areas of the plateau were warmer and more humid in the early Holocene (Cong et al, 2021, Chen et al, 2020, Zhang et al, 2022).…”

“…What kind of utilization function does the DQ site have? Some studies have shown that the Late Paleolithic people were mostly engaged in seasonal hunting activities on the Tibetan Plateau, sometimes adopting a strategy of winter-summer migration or commuting between high and low altitudes according to the regional environment (Hou et al, 2020, Madsen et al, 2006). The small amount of ash, sparse stone rims, and absence of burned animal bones at the DQ hearths, suggests they resulted from low-input construction to meet the temporary fire use for a small group of people (Zhou et al, 2012).…”

“…The Tibetan Plateau is among the highest and most challenging environments inhabited by humans due to the cold climate, low oxygen levels, intense ultraviolet radiation, and limited plant and animal resources (Chen et al, 2015). The harsh living conditions make the region a good exemplar for exploring human adaptation to extreme environments (Brantingham et al, 2013, Chen et al, 2015, 2021b, Gao et al, 2020, Hou et al, 2020). Several recently published papers not only significantly advance the timing of prehistoric human activities on the Tibetan Plateau, but also reveal the vast area of ancient human activities and the complexity of the living environment (Chen et al, 2019, Cheng et al, 2021, Zhang et al, 2018, 2021, Zheng et al, 2022).…”

Geospatial modelling of farmer–herder interactions maps cultural geography of Bronze and Iron Age Tibet, 3600–2200 BP

“…To assess the geography of interactions between communities (and sub-communities) of farmers and herders, our model uses modelled vegetative productivity and land use as a prime factor to map potential mobility networks. Different from previous research which uses slope-derived mobility models based on the least-cost path methods 14,15 , we assume that ancient highland herders moved regularly towards lowland arable niches using rich-vegetal niches and high-quality pastures in the mountains and steppes, instead of moving through valley bottoms, per se. This resonates with the general movement pattern of contemporary agropastoral communities that are documented by ethnographic work and attested in archaeological studies 16,17 .…”