Archaeology in China and East Asia Volume 9

This three-volume book presents the long-awaited comprehensive archaeological, chronological, and bioarchaeological studies of Shamanka II site, the largest completely excavated cemetery of the Early Neolithic Kitoi culture dated to ca. 7,560–6,660 years cal BP. It is a monument to some thirty years of research by the Baikal Archaeology Project (BAP). This multidisciplinary international project provides insights into the individual life histories of Holocene hunter-gatherers in Northern Eurasia during times of climate change. The 156 people buried in 97 graves with around 15,000 goods at Shamanka II experienced a fundamental alteration of their world from more diverse landscapes to dense taiga forest that left only lake shores and river banks open. It is fascinating to see how creatively they developed adaptive strategies.