(Abstract in Agricultural Archaeology 1998(1). Translated by Yu Chen, edited by B. Gordon)
Along with high human expansion, geography, climate and other environmental factors, Neolithic millet and rice cultivation began between the Yellow and Huai Rivers. Archaeological millet and rice were found between Yangshao Village of Shengchi County and Huangjianshu Zhechuan in Henan Province, from Anban Fufeng and Li Village, Shanxi Province, to Rizhao in Shandong Province. Although the Shandong Peninsula was affected by ocean climate, millet and rice were cultivated at 33-35ºN Lat. and 107-120ºE. Long.
The formation of a mutual cultivated area is the first important result of agricultural and cultural exchange between North and South in Chinese history. The economy not only advanced profusely, but civilization accelerated, so that the area became a main Neolithic center, its main signs being the appearance of bronze, cities and writing, the foundation for early national feeling. As this early civilization was deeply influenced by exchange of cultivation technology and the formation of a culture area, it can be seen that aboriginal agriculture gave a great impetus to the evolution of ancient Chinese society.