Unveiling the Dynamics of Millet Spread into Xinjiang: New Evidence of the Timing, Pathways, and Cultural Background

Xinjiang, in Northwestern China, was a key point in the prehistoric trans-Eurasian network of exchange and played an important role in facilitating the dispersal of crops across Eurasia. Millet crops were first cultivated and used ca. 10,000 years ago in Northern China, from where they spread via di...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAgronomy (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 7; p. 1802
Main Authors Tian, Duo, Li, Jingbo, Wang, Yongqiang, Dang, Zhihao, Zhang, Xiangpeng, Li, Chunchang, Xu, Youcheng
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2023
Subjects
Analysis
Archaeological dating
Archaeology
Barley
Bronze Age
broomcorn millet
Carbon dating
Carbon isotopes
Central Asia
Cereal crops
Consumption
Crops
Cultural heritage
Dispersal
Dispersion
foxtail millet
Investigations
Millet
Radiocarbon dating
Radiometric dating
Seeds
stable isotopes
Xinjiang
Canada
United Kingdom
China
Central Asia
Eurasia
Siberia
Russia
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Xinjiang, in Northwestern China, was a key point in the prehistoric trans-Eurasian network of exchange and played an important role in facilitating the dispersal of crops across Eurasia. Millet crops were first cultivated and used ca. 10,000 years ago in Northern China, from where they spread via different routes, leaving intriguing traces in various sites across Xinjiang. This paper presents the latest data on millet in Xinjiang. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, including radiocarbon dating, archaeobotanical evidence, and carbon isotope datasets, this study explores potential routes by which millet entered Xinjiang and traces its expansion from the third millennium BC to the 10th century AD. The research highlights the significant role of millet in shaping the ancient economies and cultures of Xinjiang and Central Asia, while also underscoring the importance of further investigation to uncover the complex pathways of its dispersal across Eurasia.
ISSN:2073-4395
2073-4395
DOI:10.3390/agronomy13071802