Chemical insights into pottery production and use at Neolithic Zoumaling earthen-walled town in China

Nineteen Neolithic walled towns, dating to 5500–4500 cal BP, have been discovered in China’s middle Yangtze River valley. While their construction is linked to early state formation, the sociopolitical role of specialized production remains unclear. Recent excavations at Zoumaling, an early walled town, offer insights into craft production, sociopolitical integration, and social differentiation. We analyzed 222 pottery sherds from Zoumaling using EDXRF and multivariate statistics. Results show consistent clay sourcing from the West Water Gate area across the Lower (5500–5300 cal BP) and Upper Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) periods. Fiber-tempered pottery, used for cooking, dominated the Lower Qujialing, while coarse-paste pottery, used for storage, increased in the Upper Qujialing, reflecting evolving technological choices. Minimal household variation in pottery production and use suggests technological changes alone did not drive social differentiation. Findings support the ‘corporate group’ hypothesis, emphasizing household interdependence and community collaboration in shaping Zoumaling’s sociopolitical landscape.