Spatial pattern and temporal trend of prehistoric human sites and its driving factors in Henan Province, Central China

The Yangshao Culture (approx. 6.9–5.5 ka BP) and the Longshan Culture (approx. 4.6–4.0 ka BP) played important roles in Henan’s Neolithic Period. Due to spatial distribution of the Yangshao cultural sites, they had a river-oriented trend in comparison with those in the Longshan Period. Apart from terrain factors, distribution of the sites in both periods is subject to paleo-environmental changes. The Yangshao Culture originated in Holocene Optimum Period, and the Longshan Culture started in climatic fluctuations prior to Neolithic ending. But the latter owned more sites and wider scopes than the former did. Both the Cultures developed fast in rich rainfall and warm periods, and withered for abrupt cooling events in 5.4 ka BP and 4.0 ka BP respectively. Therefore, the sustainability of Henan’s Neolithic Cultures is not good as expected. Whilst, the ancient farming acted an irreplaceable part in distribution of human sites, and the need for farming space prompted human sites to expand from the western hilly areas towards the eastern plain of Henan. Moreover, the neighboring cultures poured into Henan and complicated the cultural patterns. Besides, characteristics of the sites in the Erlitou Period suggest that some social factors disturbed the spatial pattern at the end of Neolithic age in Henan.