Ancient Hydrography of the Middle Yangtze River and Its Influence on the Neolithic Cultures of the Region
Differences in the level of agricultural development in the Neolithic in the eastern and western parts of the Middle Yangtze River Valley were closely related to the geographical conditions in which ancient communities existed. Favorable climatic conditions in the east of the Middle Yangtze led to the formation of a unique environment which boosted the development of economic activity. Climatic changes were characterized by differences in sedimentation, spills or desiccation of rivers and lakes, and, accordingly, by the shrinkage of food resources, which triggered cultivation of wild plants and appearance of wet rice growing. Relatively long-term stability of climatic conditions led to the development of technologies and population growth, which resulted in demographic pressure and large-scale expulsion of population into the neighboring regions.