The Houtaomuga site of the Early Neolithic in Northeastern China and its place in the archeology of the Priamurye and Primorye regions

This study discusses the evidence from excavations at the Houtaomuga site (vicinity of the modern city of Da’an in Jilin Province). Loose, thick-walled pottery dated to over 10 ka BP (layer 1) and 7-6 ka BP (layer 2) belonged to two Early Neolithic stages. The dates of the lower layer are one of the earliest known in Manchuria. The data on technical and typological analysis of pottery samples is provided. This analysis was aimed at studying the most important technological characteristics, such as composition, methods of shaping the vessel, ornamentation, further use, etc. A comparative analysis with the Osipovka, Novopetrovka, and Gromatukha cultures of the Amur region and Primorye has revealed that the vessels of the Osipovka culture and Houtaomuga site were very similar not only in their shapes, but also in ornamental decoration (comb patterns, horizontal zigzag) and composition offabric which included organic fibers, fragments of shells, and inclusions of quartz. A probable continuation of that tradition was pottery complex of the Changtuozi site. The material evidence from the later horizon 2 at the Houtaomuga site had many similarities with pottery of the Novopetrovka and Gromatukha cultures. However, unlike the early stage, there were also clear parallels from the Angangxi culture in China, such as the use of shells, coil technique for shaping the vessels, as well as new type of decoration with molded bands. The evidence from the Houtaomuga site, which represents two early trends in the development of local pottery traditions, makes it possible to clarify the area ofpottery distribution in the region, possible ways of spreading ancient technologies, and recognize the importance of the Houtaomuga site for understanding the development of the Neolithic technologies in Northeastern China.