A Study On The Abandonment Process Of Baiyinchanghan Site

Baiyinchanghan Site is one of the major excavation sites in Western LiaoningProvince, China. These relics diversity—is characterized by stuctures, tombs, pits,trenches; and by the remains of a long period of time—including the Xiaohexiculture, Xinglongwa culture, Zhaobaogou culture, Hongshan culture and Xiaoheyanculture. The site has great research value on studying prehistoric lifeways, socialorganization and ideology in this region.The theory of site-formation processes has been developed for40years in theUnited States. This paper attempts to analyze the various stages of the abandonmentprocess of the structures, in terms of site formation process, combined with theexcavation report of Baiyinchanghan Site.We have a certain understanding on the abandonment pattern and process ofBaiyinchanghan Site by observing， comparing and analyzing on living floors,cooperated with the analysis from the theory of site—formation processes. Theabandonment pattern of this site can be divided into three categories:1. Rapid abandonment with anticipation of return, such as those structures of theXinglongwa culture.2. Slow abandonment with anticipation of return, such as those structures of theZhaobaogou culture.3. Complete abandonment without anticipation of return, such as those structuresof the Hongshan culture.These differences on abandonment pattern may be associated with increasingsedentism. Thus,we can better understand the development process of prehistoricsocieties from an alternative perspective—by studying abandonment processes.