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Wood-Use Strategies at a Han Dynasty Military Outpost

New Archaeological Evidence from Shichengzi, Xinjiang

Bibliographic Data

ID7472710
AuthorsPengfei Sheng (0000-0002-5049-8586, Fudan University), Kuangyuan Nong (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Xiaohong Tian (Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology), Yong Wu (0000-0001-6343-4218, Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology), Edward Allen (0000-0001-5182-7495, Fudan University)
Year2026
Volume31
Issue1
Pages1-7
Publication date2026-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironmental Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4103 • E-ISSN: 1749-6314
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14614103.2023.2288729
OpenAlexW4389454971
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited23

The study analyses wood samples recovered from diverse archaeological contexts (a gate, tomb and kiln) at the Shichengzi site, an Eastern Han Dynasty garrison in modern-day Xinjiang dating from the 1st to 2nd centuries AD. The results show extensive exploitation of a single species of conifer (Picea sp.) by Shichengzi residents. The selection and utilisation of this identical species suggest, on the one hand, the widespread use of Picea for building, artefacts and fuel at Shichengzi. It also suggests that Picea's general availability was exploited by Shichengzi's planners. This study offers the first clear evidence for timber-use strategies among the north-western frontier populations of the Han Empire

Ancient history · Archaeological evidence · Archaeology · Geography · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies

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Unique citing works3
Citations per year3
Citation span2025 - 2026 (2)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 3

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