Investigating Human Migration and Horse‐Trading in Yelang (夜郎) Through Strontium Isotope Analysis of Skeletons from Zhougshui Sites, South‐West China (1300 bc – ad 25). (29th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, X. X.; Wang, X. R.; Wu, X. T.; Jin, Z. Y.; Zhang, H. R.; Huang, F.
• Is Part Of: Archaeometry. Volume 60:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2018-01-29
• Subjects: Yelang -- strontium isotope analysis -- human migration -- horse trade -- south‐western tribes; Archaeometry -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Expertising -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-813X

Abstract

Abstract : Yelang (夜郎), a mysterious state located in the south‐western area of early China and dating from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (1300bc –ad 25), is a cultural interactive junction between the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and the Yangtze River Basin. The Zhongshui Basin in Weining County, Guizhou Province, was one of the important distribution areas of the Yelang civilization. This area, which includes sites at Jigongshan (鸡公山; 1300 – 800bc ), Hongyingpan (红营盘; 700 – 400bc ) and Yinzitan (银子坛; 400bc –ad 25), has provided a very integrated chronology, spanning from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age in the eastern Yunnan – western Guizhou area. To investigate human migration and horse‐trading at these Yelang sites, we conducted a strontium isotopic analysis on the teeth enamel of humans and horses unearthed from these three sites. The results indicated the following: (1) people at the earlier sites (Jigongshan and Hongyingpan) were all indigenous, whereas in the Yinzitan cemetery, there was a more immigrant population, and all the people who were buried in an upper limb flexed supine position were non‐local; and (2) most of the horses found at the Jigongshan and Yinzitan sites show different provenances, probably related to the famous Dian (滇) and Zuo (筰) horses recorded in historical documents, providing more clues for further study on horse‐trading in South‐West China during the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age.