Subsistence economy of the Fulan Site in Guangxi, China, in the Mid-Holocene

To further explore the economy models and dietary composition of early humans in Guangxi, this study conducted a systematic investigation of the microplant remains and carbonized Fagaceae fruits from the Fulan site in Tiandong County, Guangxi Province through chronology, phytolith analysis and charred Fagaceae seed morphology. The results indicate that the AMS 14 C dating result of the Fulan site ranges from 5904 to 5732 cal BP. No obvious cereal agriculture activities were identified from the phytolith assemblages obtained from the pottery, stone tools, and cultural layer in this site. However, a large number of charred acorns were discovered in the cultural layer, which is the first time in this region. Morphology analysis showed the charred acorns found at the site are most similar to the Fagaceae flora, specifically Castanopsis sclerophylla, which is one of the dominant species in this region. Micro CT results also indicate the acorns were roasted by humans for consumption. Combining the analysis results of macrobotanical remains and phytoliths in the site, the acorns represented by Castanopsis sclerophylla were one of the most important food sources for local people at that time, which provides new insights for the plant utilization methods in the early community in Guangxi region.