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

曹协山遗址位于江苏省中国境内。该考古遗址于1972年由南京博物院考古队发掘。发掘结果表明，曹策山遗址从马家堡到宋代存在几个不同的文化阶段。此外，在发掘中还发现了马家浜期(公元前4000年)生产的木炭稻米。为了探测马家浜期形成的古水田，江苏省农业科学院、南京博物院和宫崎市大学于1993年组织了联合研究项目“长江流域古水田的农学与考古研究”。1994-95年，通过植物蛋白石分析，成功地寻找了古水田埋藏的地点，并对这些地点进行了考古发掘。随后又发现了马家帮期的古水田。在这一时期，这些稻田是世界上最古老的稻田。水田成行。古代的水田在低地上有两四行。不确定、小块。古水田的形状不是方形的，而是不确定的，大小很小(1~9米见方)。水田之间有垄沟和水闸，水田之间的垄宽约为15厘米，每道红线上都有水闸。小池塘灌溉。在古老的稻田里提供了灌溉系统。这个系统就像一口井一样的池塘。动物的骨头。稻田附近有这么多的骨头。

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.