Prehistoric Modernization From Hunting and Gathering to the Origins of Agriculture

This book explores the origins of agriculture in China, and the transformation from hunter-gatherer to agriculture producer. Therefore, it reveals the ancient genes of China as an agricultural country and digs into questions like what turning events occurred during the transformative period from hunting-gathering to agricultural production and why the development of agriculture is rapid in some regions while largely delayed in others. This book also introduces various definitions and theoretical methods on the study of agriculture’s origin. It represents the transforming era by simulating prehistoric hunter-gatherer’s survival strategies with data collected from modern weather station. The author also tries to answer questions on the origins of agriculture production in China with comprehensive archeology evidences.

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Theoretical Explanation for the Origin of Agriculture.- Chapter 3. Theoretical Explanation: Why Agriculture Did Not Originate.- Chapter 4. A Simulation Study of Chinese Hunter-Gatherer.- Chapter 5. Accumulation of Resource Endowment.- Chapter 6. Initial Environmental Conditions.- Chapter 7. The Basic Model of the Origin of Chinese Agriculture.- Chapter 8. Southern and Northern Areas of Yan Shan Mountain.- Chapter 9. South China Northeast China.- Chapter 10. Southwest China.- Chapter 11. Who Colonized the Tibetan Plateau.- Chapter 12.Conclusion: Completed and Unfinished Issues.

CHEN, Shengqian is a professor and tutor for graduate students of the Department of Archaeology and Museology in School of History, Renmin University of China. In 2004, he earned his Ph.D. at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the United States. His main research fields are archeological theory, history of archaeological thoughts, agricultural origins, stone tool analysis, prehistoric art and archaeological education. Chen engaged in writings on archaeological theory and method, archaeological education and prehistory. He is also the author of Learning Archaeology, Thinking about Archaeology, In Pursuit of Human and other several books.CHEN, Shengqian is a professor and tutor for graduate students of the Department of Archaeology and Museology in School of History, Renmin University of China. In 2004, he earned his Ph.D. at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the United States. His main research fields are archeological theory, history of archaeological thoughts, agricultural origins, stone tool analysis, prehistoric art and archaeological education. Chen engaged in writings on archaeological theory and method, archaeological education and prehistory. He is also the author of Learning Archaeology, Thinking about Archaeology, In Pursuit of Human and other several books.