Mountain valleys, alluvial fans and oases: Geomorphologic perspectives of the mixed agropastoral economy in Xinjiang (3000–200 BC)

Xinjiang serves as a hub for trans-Eurasian exchange. The hominids are supposed to be greatly influenced by the environment due fragile ecology and arid climate. As territory with most significant complex geomorphic units in Inner Asia, features diverse spectrum of forms, including mountains, basins, deserts, river valleys, oases. This paper presents systematic summary locations 127 Bronze Age early Iron (3000–200 BC) sites cemeteries their economic strategies, exploring different choices ancient humans who lived other units, how they adapted microenvironments. We have divided into five regions: Junggar Basin, Tarim Western Tianshan Mountains, middle Eastern Mountains. Our study shows that there were agropastoral modes geographical units. Roughly bounded economy northern was heavily based on animal husbandry, while oasis farming popular Southern reigon. From perspective geomorphology, situated mountain alluvial fans, oases regions surface water sources fine-textured soil cover. Sites near mountains more likely develop mixed pastoral-hunting economy, communities specific size build agricultural-pastoral economy. In large valleys or it is expected settlement clusters central settlements will grow, leading emergence social complexity. help understand “man-land” dynamics between 3000 200 BC Xinjiang.