This book undertakes an in-depth exploration of the pivotal role of rice, which is the world's most essential food crops, sustaining over half of the global populace. It meticulously analyzes how rice cultivation constitutes the material bedrock and defining characteristic in the evolution of Asian civilization. Additionally, it scrutinizes rice culture, which holds sway as the traditional mainstream in China and the majority of countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The author, with an extensive background in archaeological research within the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, anchors the specific content of this volume in materials sourced from this region. The book then proceeds to engage in a comprehensive inquiry into the fundamental question of the origin of rice cultivation, drawing on archaeological evidence, historical records, and interdisciplinary perspectives to offer a nuanced understanding of this significant aspect of human history. The book is divided into six chapters, which describe and analyze the origin, evolution and development of rice farming in the world and focus on the rich and diverse cultural styles and diversity characteristics of rice cultivation civilization in various parts of Asia due to geographical location and regional environmental differences.

Autorentext

Zheng Yunfei, Doctor of Agronomy, Professor of Archaeological Science has served as the standing director of the Chinese Agricultural History Society, deputy director of the Plant Archaeology Professional Committee of the Chinese Archaeological Society, mainly engaged in plant archaeology and agricultural archaeology, has undertaken more than a dozen national, provincial and ministerial scientific research projects such as "archaeological research on prehistoric rice farming relics in Zhejiang" and "research on the origin of rice farming in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River".