| The average life expectancy is an important indicator of the physical condition of a state or a region. It is a "barometer" of the socioeconomic condition as well. It is calculated by compling life tables. This is an important method of modern demography, and it has been widely used in census. At present the theory and techniques are well developed. Based on reasonable assumptions, this method can be used in the statistical study of prehisotric human population. Through the identification and counting of human skeletons in archaeological sites a life table can be complied, which in turn can be used to calculate the average life expectancy of prehistoric human beings and their living conditions.In this thesis, the life table method was employed to conduct statistical analyses of some typical cemetery during the Dawenkou Cultures, so as to infer the average life expectancy of ancient people and the environmental factors. This thesis is composed of four chapters, covering six parts.Partâ… is Introduction, where I describe the objectives of this study, the concept of average life expectancy, the principles and methods of compling life tables, and an overreview of archaeological demography.Partâ…¡includes the first chapter, which is composed of three sections. Section I presents the prehistoric census data of the Dawenkou Cultures based on the hman skeletetons as reported in published arhcaleogical excavation reports and the information of archaeological sites that meet the statistical requirmentsof this study..Sectionâ…¡presents life tables and the average life expectancy based on a total of 9 sites that meet the statistical requirements of this study. The detailed procedure of compling a life table was examplified using the Wang Yin site.Sectionâ…¢presnts histograms and the P-P chart of the average life expectancy as well as preliminary statistical test of age and death. The age of death at 7 sites of higher average life expectancy appears to follow a normal (Gaussian) distribution; Yuchi Temple and the five village sites show a lower life expectancy, probably due to the dominance of skeletkions of younge people, or other factors such as war, famine, migration and so on. Thereofore, large enough numbers of human skeletons should be identified and counted to reach statistical significance.Partâ…¢is Chapterâ…¡, which is divided into three sections. In Section I, quantitative statistical analyses of socio-economic factors were conducted using the SPSS software. Cluster analysis was done based on the average life expectancy, longitude, latitude, site area, and the per capita possession of goods in a grave.These nine sites can be divided into three categories. After excluding two outliers, the remaining 7 sites are classified into two categories and the results are discussed. Initial results points out that the longitude, latitude factors affecting on the average life expectancy of ancient sites is greater than the social and economic factors.In Section II, by using correlation and multivariate regression analysis, the relationship among the average life expectancy at 9 sites, longitude, latitude, site area, the per capita possession of goods in each grave was revealed. The results show that the average life expectancy is less relevant to the other 4 factors. Multivariate regression analysis shows that longitude is much more important to the average life expectancy at the sites than latitude and site area. The third most important factors is the per capita possession of good in each grave. This appears to be a good indicator of the socio-economic conditions. Combined with the site in phases corresponding to the Dawenkou Cultures, that culture of the early to mid stages of Dawenkou there reduce the average life expectancy of ancient phenomenon.Sectionâ…¢summarizes the results about the spatial and temporal changes in the life expectancy of the Dawenkou man.Partâ…£is the discussion about the potential application of life table method in archaeology. Spectial attention should be paiud on the errors. Sectionâ… do not through the preparatory stage, the average life table to calculate the total life expectancy and life tables sites compared the results calculated and discussed the impact of the error, pointing out that the important issue of the future study should pay attention on, not as much as possible the preparatory stage of life table to ensure accuracy and scientific soundness.Sectionâ…¡prepared from the sex life table to discuss the preliminary findings of the male and female average life expectancy in different stages of Dawenkou culture. Because according to Wangyin and Liu Lin burial age of death of men and women that live in the cumulative curve of the king, Liu Lin ancient sites of women may be the early age of 17 years education, and to explore the cause of women than men on average life expectancy of the reasons. Except perhaps that a large number of women in the perinatal death, and women may also be related to lower social status than men.Sectionâ…¢of archaeological research in recent years through environmental awareness from an early stage of Dawenkou culture to medium-term existence of the ancient lower average life expectancy of the phenomenon, that of ancient climate change, particularly global climate changes since 6000 yr BP have a certain relevance. And try to analyze from the medical and health changes in average life expectancy of the ancients.Partâ…¤, Chapterâ…£is divided into three sections, on the life table method in archeology to do a trial of other applications. Sectionâ… is pathological analysis, the cause of death through the introduction to the life table and its approach, that the future can use this statistical study ancient and prehistoric sites the cause of the existence of endemic diseases.Statistical analysis of population is given in Sectionâ…¡, reviewed the concept of population growth and population reproduction pattern, introduced the demographic population projections methods, pointing out that under certain conditions can be predicted with a formula of population to extend the historical period and even the prehistoric population; Han population changes and to process analysis and ideas in this paper the feasibility of this approach, by introducing the model life table provides a number of specific ways of prehistoric people, and to the king because the patients present their algorithm, and through statistical tests Test for assumptions.Sectionâ…¢is the summary of this Chapter. The potential and limitation of life table in archaeological are discussed.Partâ…¥is Conclusion. Conclusion of the Dawenkou ancient times the average life expectancy factors were summarized and pointed out that future research needs to think from other perspectives. For the application of life table exists in the archaeological issues to discuss in some detail, and gives ideas for future research: presented the basic concepts of demographic methods and applications in archeology should pay attention to consider the application of the premise and conditions. Finally, the calculation of this error and the application of life table in the archaeological prospects and limitations are summarized.Partâ…¦of Schedule logged in statistical norms based on this raw data selected.Highlights of this thesis are:1. With a multi-disciplinary background, the average life expectancy affects the main qualitative research quantitative factors. Through correlation analysis, discussion of various factors on the impact of changes in average life expectancy; and try to regression analysis, the average life expectancy of the importance of each factor, combined with the regularity of the site.2. On the use of life table method in archaeological methods exist to test its application. Stage by making the site the results discussed in the life table and the error of life table from the stage once again proved to the early stages of Dawenkou culture medium term there is the phenomenon of reduced life expectancy.3. Life table was compiled based on different genders, and the preparation of the early stages of culture there Dawenkou average life expectancy of men than women discussed the phenomenon4. This time from a large culture of multiple sites for the preparation of life tables and calculates the average life expectancy, the results also show that from the Dawenkou culture period there appears to be a variety of correspondence. Such as climate change and changes in life expectancy, the changing nature of society and changes in life expectancy seems to have some connection.5. On the life table specific applications in archeology make their own opinion, that should be combined with archaeological practice, the next targeted a large number of burial sites selected major breakthroughs, the establishment of regional models of prehistoric social life table as a benchmark for other sites provide a reference standard... |
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