Spatiotemporal evolution and human-environment relationships of early cultural sites from the Longshan to Xia-Shang periods in Henan Province, China

Henan Province, a pivotal region for the origin and development of early Chinese civilization, is home to numerous early cultural sites that serve as vital material carriers documenting early human society. A systematic study of the evolution of these cultural sites in Henan and their relationships with the environment can elucidate the developmental patterns of early state civilizations in the region, reveal the cultural significance of these sites, and provide scientific evidence for their protection and utilization. This study employs GIS spatial analysis techniques to unveil the spatial evolution of cultural site distribution in Henan Province from the Longshan period to the Xia and Shang periods, including characteristics of spatial clustering, distribution density, and directional trends. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between the spatial distribution of cultural sites and environmental factors across different periods. The results indicate: (1) early cultural sites in Henan Province exhibit spatial clustering patterns. During the Longshan period, these sites had the widest distribution and the highest number. By the Xia Dynasty, the number of sites significantly decreased, concentrating in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. By the Shang Dynasty, the distribution expanded northward and southward within Henan Province. (2) Early cultural sites in Henan Province are primarily located in plains, basins, and low mountain and hill areas with elevations below 400 m and gentle slopes. Site selection favored sun-facing slopes with ample sunlight and areas that were convenient for water access and less prone to flooding. (3) Early settlers preferred establishing their communities in areas with relatively complex geographical diversity, offering more possibilities for production and daily life. However, excessive geographical diversity increased the difficulty for early humans to adapt and modify the environment, thus limiting their activities and reducing the number of sites. (4) The results of the geographically weighted regression analysis indicate that there are significant spatial differences and heterogeneity in the influencing factors during the Longshan period and Shang Dynasty, while the factors during the Xia Dynasty did not exhibit statistically significant spatial heterogeneity.