九千年前的炭化小豆（考古中国）

Core Viewpoint - The discovery of carbonized small beans at the Xiaogao site in Shandong, dating back approximately 9,000 years, provides significant evidence of early agricultural practices in East Asia, particularly the integration of legumes into the crop system alongside grains, which predates previous findings in China by 4,000 years [2][3][5]. Group 1: Archaeological Findings - An international team, including researchers from Shandong University and Washington University in St. Louis, published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlighting the importance of the Xiaogao site in understanding the origins of agriculture in northern China [2][3]. - The excavation at Xiaogao involved systematic sampling of 891 flotation samples, leading to the identification of 45 carbonized small beans among 32,000 carbonized plant remains, confirming the presence of a diverse agricultural system [3][4]. - Radiocarbon dating of two small beans revealed ages of 8,985–8,645 cal.BP and 8,032–7,939 cal.BP, marking a significant advancement in the timeline of legume domestication in the region [3][4]. Group 2: Agricultural Practices and Implications - The findings indicate that 9,000 years ago, the lower Yellow River region had already developed an early "grain + legume" agricultural system, showcasing the nutritional and ecological benefits of combining these crops [3][4]. - The presence of small beans alongside other crops like millet and soybeans suggests an early understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, which improved soil fertility and provided essential protein [3][4]. - The research emphasizes the need to reassess the role of food diversity in human civilization and the importance of legumes in sustainable agricultural development [4][6]. Group 3: Collaborative Research Efforts - The success of this research is attributed to international collaboration among scholars from China, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, who shared archaeological data from over 40 sites and utilized multidisciplinary techniques [6]. - The study of small bean domestication reflects a broader global issue, highlighting the necessity of cross-regional and interdisciplinary cooperation to understand the dynamics of agricultural evolution [6].