Initial Migration of Neolithic Sino-Tibetan People

What is it about?

Sino-Tibetan is the second largest language family in the world, spoken by more than 1.3 billion people. This study presents the first archaeological investigation into the material culture of Proto Sino-Tibetan speakers, who migrated from the Yellow River to the NW Sichuan highlands 6000-5000 years ago. Some of their ritual traditions, involving communal drinking and dancing, have survived until today in SW China.

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Why is it important?

Sino-Tibetan is the second largest language family in the world, spoken by more than 1.3 billion people, predominately in China. It originated in the Yellow River region around 8000 years ago and expanded to the Tibetan Plateau by 6000-5000 years ago during the Neolithic Yangshao culture. This study presents the first archaeological investigation into the lifeways of Proto Sino-Tibetan speakers, who migrated from the Yellow River to the NW Sichuan highlands. They may have integrated with indigenous hunter-gatherers, and adopted broad-spectrum subsistence strategies, consisting of millet farming and local wild resource foraging. They retained important ritual traditions, particularly the alcoholic fermentation method and communal ritual drinking associated with dancing performances, which likely helped maintain their cultural identity and social values.

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