*Article* **Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Human–Land Relationship at Early Historic Sites in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River in the Sanhe Region Based on GIS Technology**

**Mingcan Gao <sup>1</sup> , Hongyi Lyu 2,\*, Xiaolin Yang <sup>2</sup> and Zhe Liu <sup>2</sup>**


**Abstract:** The Sanhe region in the middle reaches of the Yellow River is an important area for the origin and development of early civilization in China. Many early sites, from the Paleolithic to the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, remain in the region, all of which are important material carriers to record the historical process from the emergence of human beings to the formation of early civilization. In this study, all of the early archaeological sites in the research area were collected and loaded into the GIS platform. With the help of kernel density estimation, adjacent index analysis, standard deviation ellipse and other tools, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of these sites were explored, and the correlation between the distribution of early sites and geographical factors was explored through coupling analysis with the geographical environment. The results show that: (1) the evolution of the spatial distribution characteristics of early sites in the time dimension can reflect the development process of early civilization; (2) elevation, slope, aspect, topographic relief, hydrology and other factors are closely related to the distribution characteristics of early sites in the Sanhe region, and the correlation between site distribution and geographical factors is also different in different periods; (3) under the combined effects of elevation, slope, aspect, topographic relief and hydrological factors, the early sites show the existing spatial–temporal distribution characteristics. It is hoped that this study can provide reference ideas for the origin and development of early civilization in the future, as well as the discovery, protection and utilization of early sites.

**Keywords:** Sanhe region; early sites; spatial and temporal distribution; human-territorial relationship; GIS

## **1. Introduction**

The Sanhe region, located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, is an important area for the origin of early national civilization in China, and a large number of early sites from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties are distributed in the region. A systematic study of the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of early sites in the Sanhe region is of great empirical significance in revealing the development and evolution of early civilizations.

At present, scholars have carried out relevant research on the spatial and temporal distribution of ancient sites [1] which mainly involves the process of cultural evolution and the driving factors for prehistoric human lifestyle [2,3]; the current situation of protection and utilization of ancient sites, pointed out the problems of unreasonable protection zoning and difficulties in displaying prehistoric sites, and proposed some development and utilization models and ideas of ancient sites based on the experiences of protection and utilization of ancient sites worldwide [4]. In addition, with the development and popularization of GIS technology, GIS technology is gradually used in the study of human–land relations in historical periods, and scholars are also keen to study and analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of sites quantitatively and explore the connection between their distribution

**Citation:** Gao, M.; Lyu, H.; Yang, X.; Liu, Z. Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Human–Land Relationship at Early Historic Sites in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River in the Sanhe Region Based on GIS Technology. *Water* **2022**, *14*, 2666. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172666

Academic Editors: Qiting Zuo, Xiangyi Ding, Guotao Cui and Wei Zhang

Received: 26 July 2022 Accepted: 26 August 2022 Published: 29 August 2022

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**Copyright:** © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

modes and the natural environment with the help of GIS tools, involving various disciplines such as archaeology, geography, architecture and cultural heritage. The main content of previous research includes using GIS technology to analyze the relationship between the distribution of sites and impact factors such as elevation, slope, coastline changes, etc [5,6]. With the help of GIS technology, there are also studies that are used to guide the conservation planning of cultural heritage and ancient sites [7]. In addition, there are research studies about geodiversity evaluation [8,9], including methods of geodiversity evaluation, such as Forte. J.P. put forward the application of kernel density estimation in geodiversity assessment. In the existing research, geology, geomorphology, hydrology and soil elements are usually regarded as important elements of geodiversity and used for geodiversity evaluation [10]. Other studies have involved the influence of the geographical environment on biodiversity; for example, He, F. studied the influence of altitude, aspect and local environment on the diversity of diatoms and macroinvertebrates on Cangshan Mountain [11].

The existing relevant GIS studies are mostly limited to the separate discussion of geographical factors, but there are relatively few studies on the comprehensive analysis of the correlation between geodiversity and cultural sites. This study applies the method of geodiversity–diversity kernel density analysis to the research of cultural sites and improves this kind of research.

The purpose of this study was to further examine the origin and evolution of early civilization by analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and human– land relationship of early sites in the Sanhe region from the Paleolithic to the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties; to reveal the internal consistency between its distribution pattern and the origin and evolution of early civilization; and to provide methods for the protection, display and utilization of early sites in order to protect and preserve the Yellow River culture, and to assist with the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

#### **2. Data and Methods**

*2.1. Research Scope*

### 2.1.1. Time Scope

The Sanhe region in the middle reaches of the Yellow River has a long history and abundant site resources. People have lived here since the Paleolithic Age, and kingdoms in the early Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties established their capitals here. This study limits the time to the historical stages, namely the Paleolithic Age, the Neolithic Age and the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties (including the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty), from the appearance of early human beings to the appearance and formation of early civilization. The distribution characteristics of the sites in these three periods are analyzed to explore the development of a regular pattern of early civilization.
