The Agricultural Economy of the Sanxingdui Culture (3700–3100 BP): Archaeological and Historical Evidence from the Chengdu Plain

Yuanhe Yang, Haiming Li, Yong Lu (), Rubing Xia, Nathaniel James, Hui Chen and Yanping Zhao ()
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Yuanhe Yang: College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Haiming Li: College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Yong Lu: College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Rubing Xia: College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Nathaniel James: Department of Anthropology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Hui Chen: College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Yanping Zhao: College of Humanities and Law, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Agriculture is a critical foundation for the development of large-scale complex and urban societies. Sanxingdui, located on the Chengdu Plain in western Sichuan and linked with the ancient Chinese Shu Kingdom, is one of the most distinctive archaeological sites in the world. However, despite its importance, the agricultural economy of the Sanxingdui culture and the Chengdu Plain remains poorly understood and heavily debated. This study synthesizes recent archaeological and historical evidence concerning the agricultural economy underpinning the increasing scale and social complexity at Sanxingdui and the greater Chengdu Plain prior to 2200 BP. Our analysis finds a mixed rice and dry-land millet farming economy, in conjunction with pig and chicken husbandry, during the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP). This integrated agricultural system likely began with the Baodun culture (4500–3700 BP), passing to the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP), Shierqiao culture (3100–2600 BP) and later, the Shu culture (2600–2300 BP). In addition, although gathering, hunting, and fishing accounted for relatively low proportions of the overall subsistence, the ancient peoples at Sanxingdui and across the Chengdu Plain continued these practices, supporting a diverse agricultural and food system. Understanding the subsistence at Sanxingdui offers key insights into the development of complex societies in southwest China, the contributions to Chinese culture, and the role of agriculture worldwide.

Keywords: Sanxingdui civilization; agricultural economic; historical documents; rice–millet farming; livestock raising (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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