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- Convenor:
-
I-lin Wu
(Université de Paris X)
- Location:
- Salle du conseil 4th floor MAE
- Start time:
- 7 July, 2015 at
Time zone: Europe/Paris
- Session slots:
- 2
Short Abstract:
This panel aims to explore population movements and influences from and to coastal south China and Taiwan 6000-4000 years ago in order to provide a better understanding of early Austronesian-speaking populations and to see which are the future direction to take.
Long Abstract:
The great spread of the Austronesian-speaking peoples in the prehistory of the Pacific Ocean is a prominent phenomenon, and the movement of early Austronesians is a very challenged topic among scholars. Whether the diffuse route from south China-Taiwan to the Philippines until the Pacific, or the disperse maritime network from the Philippines to Korea and Japan, the movement of the early stage to the Austronesian-speaking peoples seems to have some of space for discussion.
Traditional models have been quite debated, where we are standing now?
Recently, numbers of archaeological sites have been unearthed in Taiwan and the southern coast of China (Fujian, Guangdong, Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong, Tonkin Gulf, Leizhou Peninsula). New data yielded from these sites provide important information for our understanding of the early Austronesian. They are located on ancient coasts, dunes, or island's sandbanks, dated around 6000-4000 years ago. Most of these sites share common cultural characteristics.
This panel aims to explore population movements and influences from and to coastal south China and Taiwan 6000-4000 years ago in order to provide a better understanding of early Austronesian-speaking populations and to see which are the future direction to take.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Kuangti Li (Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica)
Paper short abstract:
The main purpose of this paper is to give some notes on the issue that relating the origins of Austronesian speakers peopling in prehistoric Taiwan.
Paper long abstract:
Tapenkeng culture was first defined by K. C. Chang in 1960s as the earliest Neolithic culture in Taiwan. Since then, more relative sites have been discovered in Taiwan. However, little evidence for that Tapenkeng settler's colonization on significance scales. The main purpose of this paper is to give some notes on the issue that relating the origins of Austronesian speakers peopling in prehistoric Taiwan. Until now, 82 archaeological sites have been recorded nearby Tainan Science Park. Salvage archaeological excavations were carried out at 34 sites in the science park area between 1996 and 2009. Remarkable advances have been made on the archaeological evidence uncovered from the sites of Nan-kuan-li and Nan-kuan-li East. Together with the archaeological remains and ecological perspectives, I believe we are able to rethink the basic issues about the earliest Neolithic cultural component and the significant issues concerning its relations to being the homeland of Austronesian speakers peopling in prehistoric Taiwan.
Weichun Chen (Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
Paper short abstract:
Archaeological research of Quemoy Islands, located in southeastern coast of Fujian Province of China, begins to shed light on the understanding of early Austronesians movement.
Paper long abstract:
Quemoy (or Kinmen) Islands, a small archipelago of several islands, located in southeastern coast of Fujian Province of China, was literally an outpost for Taiwan (ROC) to against the Communist China (PRC). Due to constant military confrontation from 1949 till 1992, Quemoy was under military administration and its economic development was basically still or limited. Without or limited development is sometime good for archaeological preservation. However, military restriction means low accessibility and may hamper archaeological research. Besides, construction of military facilities imposed unknown threat to archaeology.
The establishment of Kinmen National Park in 1995 announces the beginning of archaeological research of the Quemoy Islands. Archaeological sites were found in both Greater Kinmen Island and Lesser Kinmen Island (Lieyu). Among them, Fuguodun and Jinguishan were the earliest known sites, dated around 6,800-6,400 B.P. Fuguodun yielded coarse corded ware and was linked to the Dabenkeng Culture, the earliest know Neolithic Culture in Taiwan, by late Professor Kwang-chih Chang when he proposed his migratory Lungshanoid hypothesis.
Quemoy late Neolithic sites include Pubian, Houfenggang, Qingqi, and Xihu, dated around 4,800-3,000 B.P. These sites share similar ceramics, mostly reddish brown sandy ware and are classified as the same cultural type, namely the Pubian type. Some scholars claimed that similar cultural characteristics, especially ceramics, were found in the Minjiang River area of northern Fujian Province and the Zhujiang River (Pearl River) area of Guangdong Province suggesting close affiliation. However, the relation between the Pubian type and the contemporaneous Taiwan counterparts remains to be determined.
Yu-Pei Chen (National Taiwan University) Hui-Yuan Yeh (University of Cambridge) Piers Mitchell (University of Cambridge)
Paper short abstract:
The aim of this research is to determine if people during Neolithic time period in Taiwan suffered with infection by parasites. This would help us to better understand the state of health of those people and highlight the potential of ancient parasite study in the region.
Paper long abstract:
The aim of this paper is to investigate which types of intestinal parasitic worms were present in Neolithic Taiwan. Since ancient parasite analysis has never been attempted before for this island, it should provide an important insight into the health and cultural development of the people in the ancient history of the Far East. The study focuses on the Wushantou site in South West Taiwan, excavated in 2014, where analysis was undertaken on 30 soil samples collected from the pelvic region of skeletal remains, along with control samples taken from the remains of the skull and feet. The samples were disaggregated, micro-sieved and viewed with light microscopy. Analysis revealed the presence of roundworm eggs (Ascaris lumbricoides) within the remains of one individual. Adult roundworms are 20-30cm long and feed on partially digested food in our intestines. They are spread by the contamination of food by human faeces. Along with providing evidence of parasitic infection, the skeletal evidence from this study supports the presence of a dense population group in ancient Taiwan. Previous research has shown that such an increase in population density has been associated with the development of an agrarian society, within which nematode intestinal parasites have a greater propensity to spread.
I-lin Wu (Université de Paris X)
Paper short abstract:
Based on typological and petrographic study of several pottery assemblages, this study attempts to establish a ceramic technology for local-scale production in East Taiwan.
Paper long abstract:
Surveys and excavations at the ancient sandy beach site of Dulan Bay of East Taiwan have revealed new pottery assemblages and provide a new absolute chronology of the early Middle Neolithic period in this area. The pottery from the basal layers resembles that previously reported from South and Southwest Taiwan, and suggests its settlement by migrants from these areas. The apparent co-occurrence of rice phytoliths and numerous shark vertebrae indicate the early population at Dulan Bay engaged in multi-subsistence activities. Based on a typological and petrographic study of several assemblages, I propose a technological approach that allows for a better understanding of pottery production in its regional context. Evidence from Dulan Bay underlines the importance of research at ancient sandy beach sites along coastal East Taiwan for addressing questions about the early adaptations of Middle Neolithic populations.
Pipad Krajaejun (Thammasat University)
Paper short abstract:
This research study the slab stone boxes and standing stones at Wang Prachop, Thailand. The results of the research purpose 1) the slab stone boxes were used as the mortuary ritual and the standing stones used as the memorial stone. 2) These may be related to Bernam valley in Malaysia.
Paper long abstract:
The prehistoric communities which practiced the sacred ritual by making slab stone boxes were found in Wang Prachop Sub-district, Tak Province. In this area, there were 2 ritual sites, named the Ban Wang Prachop site and the Nai Sien site, which slab stone boxes ritual were found for the first time in Thailand. The form of the excavated slab stone boxes was similar to a slab grave, but neither a human remains nor relic was found inside those slab stone boxes. There were only the vessels, fragments of stone bracelets, beads, and spindle whorls in the slab stone boxes. In addition, there were also found the standing stones placed nearly to the slab stone boxes. The two charcoal samples dated Ban Wang Prachop site to the age of 2,500-2,300 BP. There are 2 aims of this research: Firstly, to interpret the evidences for understanding the mortuary ritual. Secondly, to understand the dispersion of this culture. The results of the research purpose that 1) the slab stone boxes were used as the mortuary ritual. From ethnographic data suggest that the standing stones probably used as the memorial stone for worship ancestor. 2) The slab stone boxes at Wang Prachop may be related to Bernam valley in Malaysia.