Life near the water: Geoarchaeological investigation of site formation processes and occupation patterns at the near‐bank mound of Liangzhu City, China

A groundbreaking geoarchaeological study of Liangzhu City reveals that the site's near-bank mound was formed through sequential settlement buildings and activity deposits, with at least six intact activity surfaces identified. These findings, derived from soil micromorphological and sedimentological analyses, provide unprecedented insights into Neolithic occupation patterns in East China. The study also highlights the significance of grass materials, particularly bamboo, in the daily lives of Liangzhu people, as evidenced by lipid and isotope analyses. This research underscores the potential of micromorphological studies to reconstruct site formation processes and human activities in landscapes significantly modified by ancient civilizations.

Lian, H., Égüez, N., Chen, M., Yan, K., Wang, Y., Wang, N., Liu, B., & French, C. (2022). Life near the water: Geoarchaeological investigation of site formation processes and occupation patterns at the near‐bank mound of Liangzhu City, China. Geoarchaeology, 38(3), 268–292. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21928