Supplementary TABLE S1. Metrical Data on Archaeological Rice Grains

Supplementary TABLE S1. Metrical data on archaeological rice grains

Lower Yangtze region China

Site / Phase / Date, BC / N / mean breadth / SD / Source
Kuahuaqiao / Lower / -5800 / 36 / 1.979305556 / 0.3085 / Zheng et al. 2004
Kuahuaqiao / Upper / -5600 / 316 / 2.018193038 / 0.309218354 / Zheng et al. 2004
Luojiajiao / Early / -5190 / 33 / 2.21 / 0.17 / Wasano 1995
Tianluoshan / Layer 8 / -4800 / 84 / 2.25047619 / 0.258880373 / Fuller et al., unpublished
Hemudu / Hemudu / -4780 / 54 / 2.22 / 0.19 / Wasano 1995
Tianluoshan / Layer 7 / -4750 / 10 / 2.305 / 0.216499936 / Fuller et al., unpublished
Longqiuzhuang / Layer 8 / -4700 / 14 / 2.24 / 0.23 / Huang and Zhang 2000
Tianluoshan / Layer 6 / -4650 / 88 / 2.252954545 / 0.306946995 / Fuller et al., unpublished
Tianluoshan / Layer 5 / -4600 / 67 / 2.265970149 / 0.260128521 / Fuller et al., unpublished
Longqiuzhuang / Layer 7 / -4500 / 65 / 2.32 / 0.31 / Huang and Zhang 2000
Tianluoshan / Layer 4/3 / -4450 / 124 / 2.136129032 / 0.292098407 / Fuller et al., unpublished
Longqiuzhuang / Layer 6 / -4300 / 48 / 2.28 / 0.3 / Huang and Zhang 2000
Caoxieshan / L. Majiabang / -4290 / 39 / 2.11 / 0.21 / Wasano 1995
Luojiajiao / Late / -4000 / 33 / 2.19 / 0.29 / Wasano 1995
Songze / E. Songze / -3900 / 22 / 2.42 / 0.41 / Wasano 1995
Longqiuzhuang / Layer 4 / -3700 / 118 / 2.57 / 0.45 / Huang and Zhang 2000
Qianshanyang / E. Liangzhu / -3200 / 84 / 2.36 / 0.21 / Wasano 1995
Jiaozhuang / W. Zhou / -800 / 30 / 2.97 / 0.18 / Wasano 1995
Zhanggouliang / Warring States / -400 / 106 / 2.63 / 0.23 / Wasano 1995

Indian rice grain dataset

Note: this dataset exclude data from the greater Indus valley, where more intensive cultivation methods and the early introduction of Japonica rice might be expected to affect grain size.

Region / Site / Date, BC / n= / Mean breadth / min / max / STD / Source
Ganges / Charda (Iron Age) / -500 / ? / 2 / 1 / 3 / Chanchala 2002
Rajasthan / Ojiyana / -1500 / ? / 2 / 3 / Pokharia 2008
Ganges / Hulaskera (Iron Age) / -700 / 60 / 2.18 / 1.75 / 2.6 / 0.417822 / Saraswat 1992
Ganges / Narhan (Chalc.) / -1200 / 50 / 2.05 / 1.9 / 2.2 / 0.417822 / Saraswat et al. 1994
Ganges / Lahuradewa 1 / -5000 / 26 / 1.790769231 / 1.25 / 2.6 / 0.417822 / Tewari et al 2008
Ganges / Mahagara (&KDW) / -1700 / 10 / 1.78 / 1.3 / 2.1 / 0.282056 / Harvey 2006
Ganges / Tokwa / -1650 / 69 / 2.3 / 2 / 2.5 / 0.105397 / Pokharia 2008
Ganges / Chirand / -1600 / 4 / 2.0125 / 1.5 / 2.5 / 0.447912 / Vishnu-Mittre 1972
Ganges / Sringaverapura / -1050 / 3 / 1.97 / 1.8 / 2.3 / 0.1443 / Saraswat 1986
Orissa / Golbai Sassan / -1400 / 13 / 1.846153846 / 1.1 / 2.4 / 0.330695 / Harvey 2006
Kashmir / Burzahom / -800 / ? / 2 / 1.7 / 2.5 / Lone et al. 1993
Kashmir / Semthan / -650 / ? / 2.1 / 1.9 / 2.7 / Lone et al. 1993
Deccan / Veerapuram / -450 / 25 / 2.24 / 1.8 / 2.5 / 0.447912 / Kajale 1984
Deccan / Kaundinyapur / -350 / 65 / 2.7 / 2 / 3 / 0.447912 / Vishnu-Mittre 1974
Deccan / Kaundinyapur / -350 / 250 / 2 / 1.5 / 2.2 / 0.447912 / Vishnu-Mittre 1974
Deccan / Terr (EH) / -225 / 132 / 2.487590909 / 2 / 3.12 / 0.204345 / D. Fuller, unpublished
Deccan / Bhokardan (EH) / -125 / 25 / 3 / 2.8 / 3.1 / 0.447912 / Kajale 1973
Deccan / Balathal (EH) / -100 / 199 / 2.146733668 / 1.7 / 5 / 0.229573 / D. Fuller, unpublished

Supplementary TABLE S2. Archaeobotanical rice database

This table lists sites, which are in the rice database maintained by the first author, by broad time horizons, providing assessment of data quality, age and geo-coordinates (in decimal degrees). Sites are numbered and references are provided in Table S3 by site and number. Abbreviations: tt= tillage tools reported; oc= other crops present; aw= arable weeds reported; fs= field system present; inf= inferred without supporting evidence; gr= grains present; ph= phytoliths present; sb= spikelet bases present; spkt= whole spikelets present; imp= imprints in pottery/brick; w= probably wild; d= domesticated; cult.= cultivated; N/A= no statements made/implied.

Country / State/ Province: District / Site / Period / Evidence for cultivation / Evidence for domest. / Evidence for wet/paddy field / Est. Date start / Est. date median / Est. date end / Rice details / Longitude / Latitude
Pleistocene
(>10,000 BC)
1 / Vietnam / Ha Son Binh: Lac Son / Xom Trai cave / Hoabinhian / wild?, tt / N/A / N/A / -16000 / -15000 / -14000 / gr / 105.511537 / 18.521078
2 / China / Hunan / Yuchanyan / Late Pleistocene Ceramic / No / ph (=W) / N/A / -15000 / -13500 / -12000 / ph: w.? / 111.599998 / 25.525
3 / China / Jiangxi / Diaotonghuan cave / Lower / No / ph (=W) / N/A / -15000 / -13500 / -12000 / ph: w / 117.17791 / 28.720907
4 / China / Jiangxi / Xianrendong / Late Pleistocene Ceramic / No / ph (=W?) / N/A / -15000 / -13500 / -12000 / ph: w.? / 117.066666 / 28.691668
5 / China / Jiangsu / East China sea / DG9603 core / Late Pleistocene / No / ph(=W?) / N/A / -13000 / ph / 127.2706333 / 28.14781667
6 / China / Jiangxi / Diaotonghuan cave / Upper / No / ph / (D?) / N/A / -12000 / -11000 / -10000 / ph: "cult." / 117.17791 / 28.720907
7 / China / Guangdong / Niulandong / Late Pleistocene Ceramic / No / ph (=W) / N/A / -11000 / -10000 / -9000 / ph: w.? / 113.415062 / 24.186045
Early Holocene (10,000-6000 BC)
8 / China / Zhejiang / Shangshan / Shangshan / inf / sb (=W) / N/A / -9000 / -8000 / -7000 / ph, imp (2 spkt: w) / 120.0509093 / 29.48525085
9 / China / Hunan / Pengtoushan / Pengtoushan / No / Inf / N/A / -8000 / -7000 / -6000 / imp. / 111.6734394 / 29.68482184
10 / China / Henan / Jiahu / Jiahu / inf (or W?) / W (?) / N/A / -7000 / -6500 / -6000 / gr / 113.6739793 / 33.62002519
11 / China / Hunan / Bashidang / Pengtoushan / inf / W (gr) / Aw / -7000 / -6500 / -6000 / gr / 111.8464251 / 29.75751643
12 / China / Hubei / Chenbeixi / Chenbeixi / No / inf / Inf / -7000 / -6250 / -5500 / gr / 111.354164 / 30.347221
13 / India / Uttar Pradesh / Lahuradewa / 1A Early/Proto-Neo. / no / W / N/A / -9000 / -6000 / -3000 / gr, ph: cult?/wild? / 82.94555556 / 26.76972222
14 / China / Henan- SE / Baligang / pre-Yangshao / inf / sb (D) / N/A / -6000 / gr ph / 112.1344861 / 32.68977753
15 / China / Shandong / Yuezhuang / Houli / oc / inf / N/A / -6000 / gr / 116.828613 / 36.619938
Early Middle Holocene (6000-4000 BC)
16 / China / Hunan / Zaoshi (lower layer) / Zaoshi/Chenbeixi / inf / inf / N/A / -6000 / -5750 / -5500 / gr / 111.242218 / 29.650503
17 / China / Zhejiang / Kuahuqiao / Kuahuqiao / tt / sb (W>D) / Inf / -6000 / -5700 / -5400 / gr spkt ph / 120.2167838 / 30.14459251
18 / Thailand / Chonburi / Khok Phanom Di / hunter gatherers / w? / N/A / N/A / -5000 / -5500 / -6000 / ph / 101.1575907 / 13.56450719
19 / China / Hunan / Hujiawuchang / Chenbeixi / inf / inf / Inf / -5700 / -5350 / -5000 / gr / 111.354164° / 30.347221°
20 / China / Henan: Wuyan / Guhu / Peiligang ? / inf / inf / N/A / -5000 / gr
21 / China / Zhejiang / Luojiajiao / E. Majiabang / inf / sb (W>D) / Inf / -5200 / -5000 / -4800 / gr spkt ph / 120.54697 / 30.62775699
22 / China / Zhejiang / Tianluoshan / Hemudu / aw, tt / sb (W>D) / Aw / -5000 / -4900 / -4800 / gr spkt ph / 121.378834 / 30.02371322
23 / Thailand / Lopburi / Lopburi area / Neolithic / wild / N/A / N/A / -6000 / -4900 / -3800 / ph
24 / China / Zhejiang / Hemudu / Hemudu / tt / inf / Inf / -5000 / -4800 / -4600 / gr spkt / 121.3511466 / 29.9633464
25 / China / Zhejiang / Tianluoshan / Hemudu / aw, tt / sb (W=D) / Aw / -4800 / -4750 / -4700 / gr spkt ph / 121.378834 / 30.02371322
26 / China / Zhejiang / Tianluoshan / Hemudu / aw, tt / sb (D>W) / Aw / -4700 / -4650 / -4600 / gr spkt ph / 121.378834 / 30.02371322
27 / China / Jiangsu / Longqiuzhuang / Majiabang / inf / W (Gr) / Inf / -5000 / -4500 / -4000 / gr ph / 119.503784° / 32.842674
28 / China / Zhejiang / Qiucheng / Majiabang / inf / ph (=W) / Inf / -5000 / -4500 / -4000 / ph / 120.0965943 / 30.92552478
29 / China / Zhejiang / Majiabang / Majiabang / inf / ph (=W) / Inf / -5000 / -4500 / -4000 / ph / 120.750251 / 30.73330184
30 / China / Zhejiang / Nanzhuangqiao / Majiabang / inf / ph (=W) / Inf / -5000 / -4500 / -4000 / ph
31 / Malaysia / Kelantan / Gua Cha / Hoabinhian / no / N/A
(?=wild) / N/A / -8000 / -4500 / -1000 / gr
32 / China / Guangxi / Dingshishan / Phase 4 / inf / inf / N/A / -4500 / -4250 / -4000 / ph / 108.49469 / 22.748262
33 / China / Hunan / Chengtoushan / Daxi / fs, Aw, oc / inf / fs, Aw / -4500 / -4250 / -4000 / gr / 111.6557161 / 29.69293199
34 / China / Jiangsu / Caoxieshan / L. Majiabang / fs / sb (D) / Fs / -4400 / -4200 / -4000 / gr ph, fs / 120.820999 / 31.2192
35 / China / Jiangsu / Chuodun / L. Majiabang / fs / Gr / Fs / -4400 / -4200 / -4000 / gr ph, fs / 120.8157416 / 31.43235433
36 / China / Guangxi / Xiaojin / Neolihic / inf / Gr / N/A / -4500 / -4000 / -3500 / gr, ph / 110.834432 / 24.958468
37 / China / Hubei: Jiangling / Maojiashan / Daxi / inf / inf / N/A / -4500 / -4000 / -3500 / gr? / 112.193359 / 30.351112
Late Neolithic (4000-2500 BC)
38 / China / Jiangsu / Longqiu- zhuang / Songze / inf / Gr / Inf / -4000 / -3750 / -3500 / gr ph / 119.503784° / 32.842674
39 / Malaysia / Sarawak / Niah Cave / Neolithic / inf / N/A / N/A / -3800 / -3750 / -3700 / gr imp
40 / China / Henan NW / Nanjiaokou / E. Yangshao, M.Yangshao / oc / inf / N/A / -4400 / -3700 / -3000 / gr / 111.4247191 / 34.86968473
41 / China / Jiangsu / Chenghu / Songze / fs / -4000 / -3650 / -3300 / fs / 120.820999 / 31.2192
42 / China / Jiangsu / Xujiawan / Songze / inf / ph / Inf / -4000 / -3650 / -3300 / ph / 120.6718091 / 31.88053569
43 / China / Shanghai / Songze / Songze / inf / inf / Inf / -4000 / -3650 / -3300 / ph / 121.1712255 / 31.14854544
44 / China / Zhejiang / Nanhebang / Songze / inf / ph / Inf / -4000 / -3650 / -3300 / ph / 120.881195 / 30.746557
45 / China / Henan Middle(Ying) / Yuancun (YUC) / Yangshao / oc / sb (D) / N/A / -4000 / -3500 / -3000 / gr / 113.0318889 / 34.38838889
46 / China / Henan Middle(Ying) / Yuanqiao(YUQ) / Yangshao / oc / inf / Aw / -4000 / -3500 / -3000 / gr / 112.9961111 / 34.38780556
47 / China / Henan- SE / Huitupo / M. Yangshao / oc / inf / Inf / -4000 / -3500 / -3000 / gr / 112.083336° / 32.686111°
48 / Taiwan / Taizhong [=Taichung] / Ingpuli / Neolithic / inf / inf / N/A / -4000 / -3500 / -3000 / gr / 120.642999 / 24.150187
49 / China / Henan / Quanhu / M. Yangshao / oc / inf / N/A / -3800 / -3400 / -3000 / ph / 109.753418 / 34.234512
50 / China / Jiangsu : Suzhou / Longnan / Songze / inf / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3350 / -3200 / gr / 120.644033 / 31.157726
51 / China / Shanxi: Sushui River / Cangdi (CD) / Yangshao / oc / inf / Inf / -4000 / -3300 / -2600 / gr / 111.368 / 35.54
52 / China / Shanxi: Sushui River / Dingdian(DD) / Yangshao / oc, aw / Inf / Aw / -4000 / -3300 / -2600 / gr / 111.368 / 35.54
53 / China / Shanxi: Sushui River / Diantoubao (DTB ) / Yangshao / oc, aw / Inf / Aw / -4000 / -3300 / -2600 / gr / 111.368 / 35.54
54 / China / Shanxi: Sushui River / Diantoubao North (DTBN) / Yangshao / oc, aw / Inf / Aw / -4000 / -3300 / -2600 / gr / 111.368 / 35.54
55 / China / Shanxi: Sushui River / (Shangshao-wang) SSW / Yangshao / oc, aw / Inf / Aw / -4000 / -3300 / -2600 / gr / 111.368 / 35.54
56 / China / Zhejiang / Pu’anqiao / Late Songze / inf / sb (D) / Inf / -3300 / gr spkt ph / 120.616667 / 30.58333296
57 / China / Henan Middle(Yiluo) / Zhaocheng / L. Yangshao / oc / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3250 / -3000 / gr / 112.8412628 / 34.6154092
58 / China / Hubei: Jingshan / Qiujialing / Qiujialing / inf / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3250 / -3000 / imp. / 112.531391 / 30.179365
59 / China / Hubei: Jingshan / Zhujiazui / Qiujialing / inf / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3250 / -3000 / imp / 112.531391 / 30.179365
60 / China / Hubei: Wuchang / Fangyintai / Qujialing / inf / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3250 / -3000 / imp.
61 / India / Uttar Pradesh: Dist. Allahabad / Chopani-mando / Late Mesolithic/Proto-Neolithic / no / inf. Wild / N/A / -4000 / -3250 / -2500 / im / 82.08333333 / 24.91666667
62 / S. Korea / Okcheon, C. / Daechon-ri / Chulmun? / oc / inf / N/A / -3340 / -3215 / -3090 / gr / 127.566774 / 36.281227
63 / China / Henan Middle(Ying) / Shiyangguan (SYG) / L.Yangshao / oc / inf / aw / -3500 / -3000 / -2500 / gr / 113.1964444 / 34.37122222
64 / China / Henan: Zhangzhou / Dahecun / Yangshao / inf / inf / N/A / -3000 / imp
65 / India / Madhya Pradesh (Son Valley) / Kunjhun / Neolithic / inf / inf / N/A / -3500 / -3000 / -2500 / cer. Inc. / 89.16305556 / 24.51805556
66 / S. Korea / Goyang, C. / Ilsan (Seongjeo-ri, & Gawaji) / M. Chulmun / inf / inf / -3090 / -2985 / -2880 / spkt / 126.77875 / 37.661849
67 / China / Anhui / Yuchisi / L. Dawenkou / inf / inf / N/A / -3000 / -2750 / -2500 / gr / 116.5625 / 33.263889
68 / China / Anhui: Mengchnagxian / Weicisi / Dawenkou / inf / inf / N/A / -2750 / ph
69 / China / Gansu / Xishanping / L.Yangshao / oc / inf / N/A / -3000 / -2750 / -2500 / gr / 105.726929 / 34.578953
70 / China / Jiangsu / Shaoqingshan / Liangzhu / inf / ph / inf / -3300 / -2750 / -2200 / ph / 120.980222 / 31.319969
71 / China / Zhejiang / Qiucheng / Liangzhu / inf / ph / inf / -3300 / -2750 / -2200 / ph / 120.0965943 / 30.92552478
72 / Pakistan / Pakistan: NWFP / Ghaleghay, Swat / Chalcolithic I / oc / inf / N/A / -3000 / -2750 / -2500 / gr / 72.2666351 / 34.70003592
73 / Taiwan / Taipei / Nankuanli / Neolithic / oc / inf / N/A / -3000 / -2750 / -2500 / gr / 121.4165278 / 25.13664167
74 / India / Haryana / Kunal / Early Harappan / oc / inf / N/A / -2850 / -2675 / -2500 / gr / 75.65833333 / 29.62638889
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