Transformation of animal utilization strategies from the late Neolithic to the Han Dynasty in the Hexi Corridor, northwest China: Zooarchaeological and stable isotopic evidence

The trajectory and influencing factors for changes to ancient human livelihoods in the Hexi Corridor of northwest China have been intensively discussed. is a key crossroads trans-Eurasian exchange both prehistoric historical periods. Although most studies focused on reconstruction paleodiet plant subsistence, diachronic change animal utilization strategies spanning periods remains unclear, due absence zooarchaeological isotopic studies, especially Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE). Here we report new zooarchaeological, stable isotope, radiocarbon dating data from Heishuiguo Cemetery Corridor, indicating that humans mainly used domestic chickens, pigs sheep as funerary objects, with other buried livestock including cattle, horses dogs. Stable carbon nitrogen isotope suggest might fed dogs more C 4 foods (likely millets or their byproducts) than herbivorous during Dynasty. Compared detected an increasing significance compared omnivorous livestock, basic declining weight fodders ∼2,300 200 BCE, which was probably induced by long-distance climate fluctuation. However, trend reversed primarily control area Empire subsequent massive immigration Yellow River valley north China.