Lecture Summary of " China Before China: Telling the Story of China from the Perspective of Molecular Archaeology "
Shandong Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology held a lecture on " China Before China: Telling the Story of China from the Perspective of Molecular Archaeology " in the conference room on the second floor of Linzi Workstation on the afternoon of June 14, 2024. The lecture was given by Du Panxin, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Science and Technology Archaeology of Fudan University, and was presided over by museologist Wu Yupeng of Shandong Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The workers and interns in Linzi construction site of our institute listened to the lecture on the spot.
This lecture delves into molecular archaeology, offering deeper insights through the exploration of relevant research cases.
In the first part, Dr.Du provided a brief introduction to molecular archaeology and its research domains. To date, molecular archaeology encompasses several directions, including isotope analysis, ancient genomics, and ancient protein analysis. It can be integrated innovatively across disciplines such as humanities, natural sciences, and medical sciences. Additionally, Dr.Du briefly introduced the bioarchaeology platform at the Institute of Archaeological Science at Fudan University.
The second part of the lecture focused on the application of molecular archaeology in current archaeological research through specific case studies.
(1) Molecular Archaeology in the Study of the Western Regions
The lecture highlighted the application of molecular archaeology in the study of ancient Western Regions, using the example of the Shichengzi settlement site in Xinjiang, dating back to the Han Dynasty. In terms of environmental archaeology, phytolith and pollen analyses from the southern section of the western wall's stratigraphic profile revealed that the environment around Shichengzi was relatively warm and humid during the construction of the settlement, which was conducive to farming and self-sufficiency. In the realm of zooarchaeology, a large number of animal bones unearthed between 2014 and 2017 were identified as belonging to 12 different species. Ancient animal pathology studies indicated that horses, cattle, and camels were used for long-term labor, reflecting a relatively advanced level of animal husbandry. From a molecular archaeology perspective, research on tombs related to Shichengzi revealed that the population could be divided into two groups: Group A, with ancient Northeast Asian ancestry and a diet leaning toward pastoralism, and Group B, with ancestry linked to agricultural populations from the Yellow River Basin since the late Neolithic period and a diet leaning toward farming. These findings illustrate an "Eastern model" distinct from the colonial expansion of the Roman Empire, showcasing population migration, integration, and the coexistence of diverse ancestral origins within the same burial site, reflecting a harmonious cultural exchange.
(2) Molecular Archaeology in the Study of the Hexi Corridor
The lecture discussed the application of molecular archaeology in the Hexi Corridor region. Molecular archaeological studies revealed that before the Han Dynasty, the population in the Hexi Corridor primarily originated from the upper Yellow River region. During the Han Dynasty, people from the Central Plains migrated to this area. By the post-Han period, the population in the Hexi Corridor had become genetically similar to modern populations, serving as evidence of East-West integration.
(3) Molecular Archaeology in the Study of Ancient Chang'an City
The lecture also explored the application of molecular archaeology in the study of ancient Chang'an City. By comparing noble and commoner groups from the Northern Zhou period, molecular archaeological research concluded that there were significant differences in living conditions among different social strata within the aristocratic population of 6th-century Chang'an, reflecting a blend of agricultural and pastoral lifestyles. High-ranking nobles likely consumed more wheat-based foods and meat, retaining characteristics of pastoral nomadic traditions. In contrast, lower-ranking nobles consumed more millet-based foods and had relatively lower intake of animal protein. Commoners, on the other hand, primarily relied on agricultural foods, engaging in millet and wheat farming.
Through isotopic studies and trace element analysis of the skeletal remains of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and Empress Ashina, it was revealed that after settling in Chang'an, Empress Ashina enjoyed a pastoral-based dietary lifestyle similar to or even better than that of her homeland in the Mongolian steppes. This further corroborates historical records. Additionally, the presence of arsenic in Emperor Wu's body indicated symptoms consistent with chronic arsenic poisoning, aligning with historical accounts that the consumption of elixirs was a spiritual pursuit and lifestyle favored by the elite during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. Ancient genomic analysis of Emperor Wu's skeletal remains was also conducted to reconstruct his facial features. While the results differed from traditional subjective portraits, this reconstruction was based on objective data, lending it authenticity.
Dr. Du introduced ongoing research projects and topics related to molecular archaeology and ancient Chang'an City, offering insights into future prospects for the field.
In the third part, the frontier problem of molecular archaeology at present is to explain the problems related to archaeology through the DNA of sediments.
By studying the sediments in the amphora 150 years ago through environmental DNA detection, it is concluded that the departure time of the shipwreck is summer and the departure place is Jiangxi, which reproduces the last sailing history of the ancient ship No.2 at the Yangtze River estuary. In addition, the environmental DNA analysis of jar sediments in the Qing Dynasty annotated the components of traditional Chinese medicine related to anti-scurvy, and combined with the unearthed Vietnamese snuff bottle, it was speculated that the sunken ship might be engaged in ocean navigation.
Finally, the cooperative research that can be carried out in Linzi area has brought inspiration to everyone.
After the lecture, the audience had a question-and-answer session with Du Panxin, and the academic atmosphere was warm. Director Zhao Yichao and Captain Wu Yupeng expressed their gratitude to Mr. Du Panxin, and hoped that students and colleagues would "go out to explore" and integrate with multidisciplinary research, find out the academic frontier and think about archaeological issues.
