Summed Probability Distribution of 14C Dates Suggests Regional Divergences in the Population Dynamics of the Jomon Period in Eastern Japan

PLoS One. 2016 Apr 29;11(4):e0154809. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154809. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Recent advances in the use of summed probability distribution (SPD) of calibrated 14C dates have opened new possibilities for studying prehistoric demography. The degree of correlation between climate change and population dynamics can now be accurately quantified, and divergences in the demographic history of distinct geographic areas can be statistically assessed. Here we contribute to this research agenda by reconstructing the prehistoric population change of Jomon hunter-gatherers between 7,000 and 3,000 cal BP. We collected 1,433 14C dates from three different regions in Eastern Japan (Kanto, Aomori and Hokkaido) and established that the observed fluctuations in the SPDs were statistically significant. We also introduced a new non-parametric permutation test for comparing multiple sets of SPDs that highlights point of divergences in the population history of different geographic regions. Our analyses indicate a general rise-and-fall pattern shared by the three regions but also some key regional differences during the 6th millennium cal BP. The results confirm some of the patterns suggested by previous archaeological studies based on house and site counts but offer statistical significance and an absolute chronological framework that will enable future studies aiming to establish potential correlation with climatic changes.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Archaeology
  • Carbon Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Climate Change / history*
  • Demography / methods*
  • Demography / statistics & numerical data
  • Ethnicity / history
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Population Dynamics / history*
  • Population Dynamics / statistics & numerical data
  • Probability
  • Radiometric Dating / methods*
  • Radiometric Dating / statistics & numerical data
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes

Grants and funding

EC and MM were funded by a Marie-Curie Intra-European Fellowship (grant #625863, url: http://cordis.europa.eu/mariecurie-actions/eif/home.html). SimulPast Project (Consolider-Ingenio CSD2010-00034) also provided funding. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.