Study on the spatiotemporal distribution of Neolithic settlement clusters based on complex social evolution: Evidence from the Dongting Lake Basin

Their spatial organization of settlement clusters gradually evolved from a pattern characterized by “small settlements and loose clustering” into a multi-level hierarchical structure consisting of “large central settlements–medium-sized secondary settlements–small local settlements.” The spatial center of the settlement clusters shifted southward at a relatively rapid pace, whereas its shifts toward the northwestern part and peripheral areas of Dongting Lake occurred more slowly. producing an overall V-shaped trajectory.

The warm and humid climatic conditions, together with proximity to rivers and lakeside plains, provided favorable environmental settings for settlement development. Over time, settlement sizes generally increased, and the clusters underwent migration and differentiation, indicating increased social complexity. These findings provide new insights into the long-term spatiotemporal organization of Neolithic settlement systems in the middle Yangtze River region and contribute to a better understanding of interactions among environmental change, settlement dynamics, and the development of prehistoric social complexity.</a></p>