The Study of Size-Grade of Settlements around the Songshan Mountain in 9000-3000 aBP Based on SOFM Networks
L. J. Peng · 2012
Choosing site area, culture layer thickness, important relics and important remains as the variables, we used cluster analysis of the ancient settlements of four cultural periods respectively, which were Peiligang, Yangshao, Longshan and Xiashang in 9000-3000 aB.P. around the Songshan Mountain through the SOFM networks method, and classified each type of ancient settlements into different size-grades. By this means, the Peiligang settlements were divided into two grades, Yangshao and Longshan settlements were divided into three grades respectively, and Xiashang settlements were divided into four grades. The result suggested that the size-grade diversity of ancient settlements was not significant during Peiligang period in this area. The size-grade diversity of ancient settlements began at about the mid-late stage of Yangshao period (5000 aB.P.), continued during Longshan period and finally formed in Xiashang period. Moreover, the result also reflected the regional difference of cultural characteristic in a certain period, which was mainly represented in the three Peiligang cultural systems distributed in different areas. There were also different spatial characteristics between Xia and Shang cultures. Based on the size-grade study on ancient settlements around the Songshan Mountain, we found that the SOFM networks method was very suitable for size-grade classification of ancient settlements, as using this method, adjacent cells would compete and learn from each other, which could reduce the effect on classification result by the inaccuracy of site acreages.