Agronomical and Archaeological Study on the Ancient paddy fields in the Basin of the River Yangze.

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Cao-xie shan site is located in Jiangsu province in China. The archaeological site was excavated by the archaeological party of Nanjing museum in 1972. In the results of the excavation, it was made clear that there were sevaral cultural phases from Majiabang to Song in the Cao-sie shan site. Also in the excavation, charcoal rice grains produced in Majiabang phase (B.C.4000) were detected.In order to detect the ancient paddy fields made in Majiabang phase, the joint research project "Agronomical and archaeological study on the ancient paddy fields in the basin of the River Yangze" was organized among Jiangsu agricultural accademy, Nangjing museum and Miyazaki university in 1993.From 1994 to 95, it was successful by plant opal analysis to search for spots where the ancient paddy fields were burried in and archaeological excavation for the spots were carried out. Then the ancient paddy field sin Majiabang phase were discoverd. In this time, these paddy fields are the oldest one in the world.Characterisitics of the ancient paddy fields are as follows.1. Paddy fields in rows.The ancient paddy fields are in two or four rows on the lowland.2. Indefinite and small block.Shape of the ancient paddy fields is not square, but indefinite and size of them is so small (1 to 9 meter square).3. Ridge and water gates between paddy fields.Width of ridge between paddy fields is about 15cm and there are water gates in each redges.4. Irrigation with small ponds.A system of irrigation was provided in the ancient paddy fields. The system is a kind of ponds like a well.5. Animal bones.There are so many bones near the paddy fields.