Agricultural foundations of the Late Neolithic walled town at Fenghuangzui in central China

During the Neolithic period, distinct agricultural patterns emerged in China, with millet farming dominating the north and rice farming the south, shaped by geographic and climatic differences. The Fenghuangzui earthen-walled town, located in the middle Hanshui River region—a transitional zone between northern and southern China, was occupied from the Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) to Meishan (4200–3900 cal BP) periods, reflecting cultural influences from both regions. This study analyzed plant macro-remains from Fenghuangzui, revealing intensive rice farming alongside micro-scale millet cultivation throughout these periods. This contrasts with the millet-dominated western middle Hanshui River region and the northern region’s mixed system with a stronger emphasis on rice. The findings shed light on the agricultural foundation of Neolithic wall towns in the middle Hanshui River region and promote understanding of cultural interactions and farming practices in this transitional zone.