Bridging theoretical gaps in geoarchaeology: archaeology, geoarchaeology, and history in the Yellow River valley, China

摘要: While geoarchaeology as a practice within archaeology grew out of many historical roots, major role has been the explication site formation processes and site-level contextual analysis. In recent years, geoarchaeological research branched to encompass larger geographic scales, play greater in environmental archaeological investigations. This paper argues that great deal contribute understanding human history theory through application multiscalar approaches place behavior physical, ecological context by creating linkages between physical responses. We use data from Yellow River valley show drainage/irrigation canal bank/levee building had commenced lower reaches ca. 2900–2700 cal B.P. The emphasis on flood plain control infrastructure was result long-term increases sedimentation caused large populations farming with increasingly efficient technologies fragile environments Loess Plateau. Ever increasing set motion cycle further investment works eventually leading massive catastrophe first 20 years millennium A.D. exceeded natural geomorphic thresholds constrained it its previous course. These floods arguably triggered social political events brought down Western Han Dynasty but root causes are clearly more complex. Geoarchaeology thus contributes an multiple consequences large-scale collapse.