Phytoliths of Rice detected in the Neolithic Sites in the Valley of the Taihu Lake in China

Abstract

In order to clarify subspecific historical changes of the cultivation rice, 80 samples containing soils, burned soils, and pottery fragments from 12 Neolithic sites around the Taihu Lake in China were analysed for phytoliths. The results show the presence of keystone phytoliths identifiable as Oryza spp. from 49 samples of the Majiabang dating from 5000BC to 3900BC, the Songze dating from 3800BC to 3500BC, and the Liangzhu dating from 3500BC to 2000BC. The phytoliths show a common trend of becoming larger and more pointed with time. The results suggest that rice (Oryza spp.) was utilised, or presumably cultivated, 7000 years ago and that Japonica rice was domesticated there.