SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE OF EARLY RICE AGRICULTURE AT PREHISTORIC SITES IN CHINA THROUGH PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS - AN EXAMPLE FROM CENTRAL CHINA

An exploratory phytolith analysis is applied at an archaeological site in central China to search for evidence of rice agriculture. Three key phytolith morpho-types are used in the identification of rice at the generic level (Oryza). They are common in the cultural layers of the site studied. Since this locale is far outside the natural distribution of wild rice, it is suggested that the rice is cultivated. The results indicate that phytolith analysis provides a useful technique in the elucidation of rice origins and dispersion.