Abstract With the discovery of the Shimao (4.3–3.8 ka BP) city site, there has been a growing interest in the Longshan Culture (4.5–3.8 ka BP). The prosperous Longshan culture of northern Shaanxi has revised our traditional understanding of the border areas from that time. This paper explores regional differences through time within the Longshan culture, from northern Shaanxi, the Guanzhong Basin, and southern central Inner Mongolia. We examine potential climatic and environmental factors that may have influenced cultural development. Modern climatic characteristics show that hydrological conditions are best-suited for human occupation in the Guanzhong Basin, followed by those of northern Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia. Based on paleoclimate analyses, we identify asynchronous climate transitions from a relatively warm-humid middle Holocene to a cold-dry climate in the late Holocene. These changes occurred at 5.0 ka, 3.8 ka and 3.0–3.3 ka BP, starting in the north and ending in the south. Prehistoric humans from the Inner Mongolia region began to move southward around 4.5 ka BP, coincident with the northernmost climate transition. Frequent flooding in the Guanzhong Basin, perhaps due to a coincidence between Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and La Nina conditions, led to the migration or diffusion of many individuals away from the basin. The favorable climate in northern Shaanxi at the time contributed to its success and prosperity.

中文翻译：

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新石器时代晚期陕北及其附近地区的巨大文化差异和环境背景

摘要随着世茂（4.3–3.8 ka BP）城市遗址的发现，对龙山文化（4.5–3.8 ka BP）的兴趣与日俱增。陕北繁荣的龙山文化从那时起就改变了我们对边境地区的传统理解。本文探讨了陕北，关中盆地和内蒙古中部南部在龙山文化中的时空差异。我们研究了可能影响文化发展的潜在气候和环境因素。现代气候特征表明，关中盆地的水文条件最适合人类居住，其次是陕北和内蒙古。根据古气候分析，我们确定了从较暖湿的中全新世向晚全新世的冷干气候的异步气候过渡。这些变化发生在5.0 ka，3.8 ka和3.0–3.3 ka BP，从北部开始，在南部结束。来自内蒙古地区的史前人类在4.5 ka BP附近开始向南移动，这与最北端的气候转变相吻合。关中盆地的洪水频发，可能是由于太平洋年代际振荡（PDO）和拉尼娜条件的巧合，导致许多人迁移或扩散到盆地之外。当时陕北的有利气候为它的成功和繁荣做出了贡献。来自内蒙古地区的史前人类在4.5 ka BP附近开始向南移动，这与最北端的气候转变相吻合。关中盆地的洪水频发，可能是由于太平洋年代际振荡（PDO）和拉尼娜条件的巧合，导致许多人迁移或扩散到盆地之外。当时陕北的有利气候为它的成功和繁荣做出了贡献。来自内蒙古地区的史前人类在4.5 ka BP附近开始向南移动，这与最北端的气候转变相吻合。关中盆地的洪水频发，可能是由于太平洋年代际振荡（PDO）和拉尼娜条件的巧合，导致许多人迁移或扩散到盆地之外。当时陕北的有利气候为它的成功和繁荣做出了贡献。