付巧妹团队最新Nature论文：通过古DNA解码4000年前石峁古城的人群来源、父系社会结构与殉葬习俗

Core Viewpoint - The research on the Shimao archaeological site reveals significant insights into the social structure, kinship practices, and cultural continuity of Neolithic China, highlighting the complexity of early state formation and societal organization in the region [5][22]. Group 1: Archaeological Findings - The Shimao site, dating back to approximately 2300-1800 BC, covers an area of 4 square kilometers, equivalent to 560 standard football fields, featuring robust defensive structures and evidence of social stratification [8]. - Archaeologists discovered over 80 sacrificial skulls beneath the eastern city gate, indicating a highly complex social organization and religious practices within Shimao society [8]. Group 2: Genetic Research Insights - A large-scale genomic study involving 169 ancient human bone samples confirmed that the Shimao cultural population primarily descended from the late Yangshao culture of northern Shaanxi, establishing a continuity in cultural and population development [5][10]. - The research also identified genetic influences from southern agricultural populations, suggesting that the northward expansion of rice cultivation may have reached the Loess Plateau earlier than previously thought [11]. Group 3: Kinship and Social Structure - The study successfully reconstructed a four-generation family tree, revealing a patrilineal social structure where property and status were primarily inherited through the male line, while maternal lineages were more diverse [14]. - The presence of gender-specific burial practices was noted, with male sacrificial victims predominantly found in public ritual contexts, while female sacrifices were associated with elite burials, indicating complex ritual systems [19]. Group 4: Social Hierarchy and Gender Roles - Despite a rigid social hierarchy, genetic analysis showed instances of kinship between elite and lower-status individuals, suggesting some permeability in social boundaries [21]. - The discovery of high-status female burials with comparable grave goods to male elites indicates that women could attain significant social status and political power within Shimao society [21]. Group 5: Implications for Early Civilization - This research provides crucial insights into the formation of early states in China, emphasizing the multifaceted and locally developed nature of early civilization, characterized by social stratification, complex rituals, and active inter-regional exchanges [22]. - The findings from Shimao challenge traditional narratives of Chinese civilization's origins, offering a new perspective on the evolution of human societies in the region over 4000 years ago [22].