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Grain remains from archaeological sites and development of oasis agriculture in Turpan, Xinjiang

2013; Science China Press; Volume: 58; Issue: S1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1360/tb-2013-suppl017

2095-9419

ChengSen LI, Wei Li, Hongen Jiang, ChunChang LI, Ya LI, Hongyong Cao,

Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology

The region of Turpan has a dry climate and little precipitation,which helps preserve a large number of archaeological sites. We studied the Yanghai Tombs,the Shengjindian and Astana Cemeteries,as well as plant remains preserved in the Turpan Museum,to reveal the development of oasis agriculture in the Turpan area. Starch analysis of bread from Yanghai Tombs showed that it was made from millet and barley. According to archaeological data,during the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age,the people in the Turpan area were mainly nomadic herders,with some practicing agriculture and horticulture that developed gradually during the Han Dynasty. This eventually changed into oasis agriculture,which became the main lifestyle during the Tang Dynasty. The rise of the Silk Road and the Karez irrigation system played an important role in the success of agriculture in the Turpan area.