It is well known that the science of archaeology was brought to China in the early twentieth century by Swedish geologist Johan G. Andersson. At this very beginning, geology supplied fundamental concepts, such as stratigraphy and relative chronology, to Chinese archaeological practices. During these processes, geologists defined Chinese archaeology's culture-historical approach in the seven decades to come.
Benefited from micrometre-scale resolution analyses and more integrated ideas, modern geologist sheds new light on archaeology, from individual’s biography to human niche, and promotes our understanding of ancient human activities to a new height. In China, geological approaches are emerging to apply into archaeology and gradually reshaping conventional archaeological research practices. The panorama of the Chinese past is being uncovered with more significant details.
In this Research Topic, we will concentrate on the following topics to highlight the ongoing integration between geology and archaeology in China.
(1) Applications of geological high-resolution analytical approaches to reconstruct an individual's biography. Even a single individual is a cross-section for his/her contemporary time. It is encouraged to conduct detailed research on an individual's stress, nutrient levels and migratory history with cutting-edge technologies. With this new information about a specific individual, we can improve our knowledge about ancient society.
(2) Reconstruction of past human niches using geological methods. Human activities have reshaped the earth's surface systems since the Early Holocene. When and how these processes proceeded are still open in China. To fully understand the interactions among human groups and between humans and nature, we call on reconstructing subsistence strategy, adaptions and modifications to landscape, and social inequality in different environments with integrated approaches.
(3) The contributions of geologists in the formative stage of Chinese archaeology. Many geologists were involved in excavating key sites such as Zhoukoudian, Yangshao, and Yinxu and interpreting archaeological materials, shaping the developmental path of archaeology in China. Their contributions to Chinese archaeology, which remain unexplored, deserve “rediscovering”.
The section will encompass the full spectrum of geoscience that are commonly employed in solving archaeological problems, with a focus on:
• new progresses on absolute dating, sourcing archaeological materials, recovering past landscape and land use, and interconnections between cultural communities;
• past human niches reconstruction based on macro- and microfossils, geochemistry, and data-driven ensemble models;
• contributions of geologists in the formative stage of Chinese archaeology, their discoveries of archaeological sites and interpretations of archaeological materials, which laid a solid foundation for modern archaeology of China.
Manuscripts within the above scopes, including but not limited to Review, Original Research, Methods, Perspective, Brief Research Report, and Opinion, are welcome.
It is well known that the science of archaeology was brought to China in the early twentieth century by Swedish geologist Johan G. Andersson. At this very beginning, geology supplied fundamental concepts, such as stratigraphy and relative chronology, to Chinese archaeological practices. During these processes, geologists defined Chinese archaeology's culture-historical approach in the seven decades to come.
Benefited from micrometre-scale resolution analyses and more integrated ideas, modern geologist sheds new light on archaeology, from individual’s biography to human niche, and promotes our understanding of ancient human activities to a new height. In China, geological approaches are emerging to apply into archaeology and gradually reshaping conventional archaeological research practices. The panorama of the Chinese past is being uncovered with more significant details.
In this Research Topic, we will concentrate on the following topics to highlight the ongoing integration between geology and archaeology in China.
(1) Applications of geological high-resolution analytical approaches to reconstruct an individual's biography. Even a single individual is a cross-section for his/her contemporary time. It is encouraged to conduct detailed research on an individual's stress, nutrient levels and migratory history with cutting-edge technologies. With this new information about a specific individual, we can improve our knowledge about ancient society.
(2) Reconstruction of past human niches using geological methods. Human activities have reshaped the earth's surface systems since the Early Holocene. When and how these processes proceeded are still open in China. To fully understand the interactions among human groups and between humans and nature, we call on reconstructing subsistence strategy, adaptions and modifications to landscape, and social inequality in different environments with integrated approaches.
(3) The contributions of geologists in the formative stage of Chinese archaeology. Many geologists were involved in excavating key sites such as Zhoukoudian, Yangshao, and Yinxu and interpreting archaeological materials, shaping the developmental path of archaeology in China. Their contributions to Chinese archaeology, which remain unexplored, deserve “rediscovering”.
The section will encompass the full spectrum of geoscience that are commonly employed in solving archaeological problems, with a focus on:
• new progresses on absolute dating, sourcing archaeological materials, recovering past landscape and land use, and interconnections between cultural communities;
• past human niches reconstruction based on macro- and microfossils, geochemistry, and data-driven ensemble models;
• contributions of geologists in the formative stage of Chinese archaeology, their discoveries of archaeological sites and interpretations of archaeological materials, which laid a solid foundation for modern archaeology of China.
Manuscripts within the above scopes, including but not limited to Review, Original Research, Methods, Perspective, Brief Research Report, and Opinion, are welcome.
