New radiocarbon dating and archaeological evidence reveal the westward migration of prehistoric humans in the drylands of the Asian interior

The vast drylands of the Asian interior were an integral part of a transcontinental network connecting east to west, that acted periodically as corridors and routeways for human migration. However, our understanding of the prehistoric human occupation of and interaction with this inhospitable environment has been hindered by a lack of direct evidence from settlements. Here we present the results of the first systematic study of archaeological material and radiocarbon dates from newly-discovered Bronze Age settlements in the hyper-arid Lop Nur region, in the eastern Tarim Basin. The studied settlement (the North Loulan Settlement, NLS), apparently associated with the prehistoric Xiaohe Culture, which is known from the Xiaohe and Gumugou cemeteries, is especially significant for the study of the prehistoric desert-oasis civilization in the drylands of the Asian interior, because it is quite different from any of the contemporary cultures in the surrounding regions. Based on a synthesis of Bayesian-modeled radiocarbon dates, the age of the NLS falls within the range of ca. 2051–1774 BC. Our field investigations indicate that the inhabitants of the site occupied semi-subterranean/semi-cave dwellings on the upper part of high yardangs, suggesting that they were able to utilize island-like yardangs in order to adapt to lake or wetland terrains. The new chronological framework for the Xiaohe cultural sites indicates that the NLS was the first Xiaohe settlement in the Tarim Basin. The earliest settlers, who were influenced by oriental culture, may have migrated to the NLS along the eastern or northeastern corridors. Later, there was the migration of populations westward along rivers.

Current Status of Black-Necked Crane Grus Nigricollis in Southern Xinjiang China: Conservation Implications

In this paper, we update the status of Black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China where it has hardly been recorded. We report on research in Southern Xinjiang，mainly in Altun (Arjin in Chinese) and Kunlun Mountain ranges and their adjacent areas, including part of Pamir Plateau and the southern edge of Lop Nur Basin. Black-necked cranes were observed in seven counties, by direct observation in 2010 to 2017, and we deduced that 180-220 individuals of the species inhabited Kunlun and Altun Mountains and the surrounding areas. 137 cranes, the largest population, were recorded in the autumn migration season in the Altun Mountain Nature Reserve in 2013. The most recent record of Black-necked cranes in the Lop Nur Basin ( N 40°19', E 91°58', alt. 790 m) was observed on May 2010 would be the northernmost distribution location with the lowest latitude and extreme arid environment．

Supplemental Material: Onset of permanent Taklimakan Desert linked to the mid-Pleistocene transition

Materials, methods, and interpretations, Figure S1 (stratigraphic columns and age assignments), Figure S2 (δ¹³C correlated with rainfall and temperature), Figure S3 (detailed view of the onset of desertification), Figure S4 (representative core photos), Figure S5 (Lop Nur and Mazartag δ¹³C), Figure S6 (spectral results), Figure S7 (close-up views of records), and Table S1 (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and grain-size data).<br>

Supplemental Material: Onset of permanent Taklimakan Desert linked to the mid-Pleistocene transition

Materials, methods, and interpretations, Figure S1 (stratigraphic columns and age assignments), Figure S2 (δ¹³C correlated with rainfall and temperature), Figure S3 (detailed view of the onset of desertification), Figure S4 (representative core photos), Figure S5 (Lop Nur and Mazartag δ¹³C), Figure S6 (spectral results), Figure S7 (close-up views of records), and Table S1 (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and grain-size data).<br>

Supplemental Material: Onset of permanent Taklimakan Desert linked to the mid-Pleistocene transition

Materials, methods, and interpretations, Figure S1 (stratigraphic columns and age assignments), Figure S2 (δ¹³C correlated with rainfall and temperature), Figure S3 (detailed view of the onset of desertification), Figure S4 (representative core photos), Figure S5 (Lop Nur and Mazartag δ¹³C), Figure S6 (spectral results), Figure S7 (close-up views of records), and Table S1 (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and grain-size data).<br>