Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Ancient Settlement Sites in Shandong Province Since the Neolithic Period

Abstract

Using ArcGIS10.2, a spatial database was constructed for 8.5-2.2 ka historical and cultural sites in Shandong Province. Using a combination of statistical and superposition analysis, the spatial and temporal distribution of ancient settlement sites in Shandong Province since the Neolithic period was studied, and the factors influencing their spatial and temporal distribution were investigated. The study found that as human civilisation has evolved since the Neolithic, the number of ancient settlement culture sites in Shandong province has also been changing, going through four periods: rising, surging, declining and rising. In the HouLi culture period, the settlement sites were mostly concentrated in the plain area in front of the mountains in Luzhong; in the Beixin culture period, Luzhong was the main settlement area of the settlement; in the Dawenkou culture period, there were settlement sites in Luzhong and southeast Luzhong; in the Longshan culture period, there were settlement sites in Luzhong and northwest Luzhong; in the Yueshi culture period, the distribution scale of the settlement sites was obviously reduced and scattered in the plain in front of the mountains. During the Shang culture period, the distribution of settlement sites increased, mostly in the central, southern and northwestern Lu areas; during the Zhou culture period, the distribution of settlement sites increased sharply, mostly in the central, southern and northwestern Lu and Jiaozhou peninsula areas. 8.5-7.5 ka B.P., in general, the natural climate during this time period was warm and humid, with good natural resources, and the Houli from 7.0 to 4.0 ka B.P., climatic conditions remained generally mild, with minor fluctuations but a steady general trend, and the Beixin, Dawenkou and Longshan cultures developed sequentially under stable, excellent climatic conditions during this time period. The Longshan culture gradually declined, and after a more stable period the Yueshi culture emerged. Changes in the overall climatic environment had a great impact on social, cultural and economic development, and the formation and development of Early Neolithic culture is strongly linked to climate, but the influence of many factors, including social productivity, led to spatial changes.