Study On Archaeological Culture In The Middle And Lower Reaches Of The Shule River

The middle and lower reaches of the Shule River are located in the west of the Hexi Corridor.Human activities in this area had experienced three phases:Xichengyi Culture,Siba Culture and Shanma Culture from Neolithic to Early Iron Age.This paper has described the brief history,sites and distribution,stages and ages of these three archaeological culture,as well as their cultural features.This paper insists that changes of the environment and its influence of human activities in prehistoric area are mutual.During the period of Xichengyi Culture and Siba Culture,the climate became dry and cold day by day,so the crowd was forced by the pressure of survival to develop the mixed economy of wheat/ millet and animal husbandry,who also engaged in bronze smelting industry.During the period of Shanma Culture,the climate was once humid,and grassland had expanded,so the crowd changed into nomadic economy,who still engaged in planting and bronze smelting activities.During the two periods,human agriculture and bronze smelting activities may lead to the deterioration of ecological environment in local areas,but the intensity and scope of this effect are limited.This paper also analyzes the region had played an important role in prehistoric east-west transportation and cultural exchanges.It is considered that the region in prehistoric period is an important passage and component of the Prehistoric Silk Road.The cultural exchange on it has experienced three stages: the Beginning,the Prosperity,and the Decline.