Prof. Hongen Jiang, Ph. D.
Email: jianghongen(at)ucas.ac.cn
Telephone: +86 10 88256417
Address：Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
No. 19 (A), Yuquan Road, Beijing, China
Postcode：100049
Research Areas
1) Wood anatomy
2) Seed/fruit identification
Now I am focusing on the following two projects:
1) Plant utilization in ancient Xinjiang of China
2) Ancient rice domestication and cultivation in the Yangtze River delta
Education
PhD, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2003-2006
MSc, Agricultural University of Hebei, 2000-2003
BSc, Agricultural University of Hebei, 1996-2000
Experience
Work Experience
1) Post Dr. in Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2006.9-2008.6
2) Post Dr. in Archaeobotany, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2008.6-2010.9
3) Asso. Prof. in Archaeobotany, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2010.9-
4) Prof. in Archaeobotany, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017.12-
Teaching Experience
2) History of Botany
3) Technology of Archaeobotany During Field Work
Honors & Distinctions
1) Outstanding Post-doctoral Fellowship of Xinjiang (2007)
2) K.C. Wong Post-doctoral Fellowship of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2009)
Selected publications
Monograph
Jiang, H. 2022. Archaeobotanical Studies of the Ancient Yanghai People, Turpan of Xinjiang, China. Beijing, Science Press.
Papers (* for corresponding author)
2023
Nong, K.#, Zhang, G.#, Wang, L., Cheng, Y.*, Jiang, H.*, 2023. Prehistoric wooden bows and arrows in the Turpan Basin, northwest China: wood selection and utilization in a mosaic landscape. Archaeometry (In press).
Sheng, P.#, Zhao, M.#, Dang, Z., Allen, D., Tajie, L., Ma, T., Jiang, H.*, 2022. Foodways of the medieval tibetans on the Silk Road: new evidence from the Miran Site in Xinjiang. Holocene 33(1): 91-100. PDF
2022
Zhang, G.#, Zhou, X.#, Li, X., Wang, Y., Dang, Z., Li, W., Spate, M., Shang, X., Wang, J., Sun, S., Song, J., Chen, T., Betts, A., Wu, X., Zhao, K., Liu, H., Zhang, S., Xu, H., Jiang, H.*, 2022. New empirical evidence from ancient foxtail millet seeds and panicles reveals phenotype divergence during its dispersal. Science Bulletin 67, 1860-1864. PDF
Nong K., Hu X., Merlin M., Chen T., Zhang G., Jiang H.*, 2022. Potential legume forage selection in arid regions of northwest China: Utilization of Melilotus cf. albus (Fabaceae) as army horse fodder in a Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) beacon tower. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14: 170. PDF （100）
Qiu, Z.*, Ding, J., Wang, X., Jiang, H.*, 2022. Vegetation landscape and paleoenvironment evolution recorded at the late Neolithic Zhumucun site, East China. Quaternary International 640, 12-22.
Chen, T., Wang, B., Jiang, H.*, 2022. New archaeobotanical evidence for Medicago from the Astana Cemetery in Turpan, Xinjiang. Heritage Science 10: 57 PDF
Tian, Y., Zhang, G., Shading, P., Wang, X.*, Jiang, H.*, 2022. Early Iron-Age ornaments of the Yanghai people in Xinjiang, China: a necklace made of drupes from Nitraria tangutorum (Zygophyllaceae). Journal of Archaelogical Science: Reports 44: 103526. PDF
Wang, T., Fuller, B.T., Jiang, H., Li, W., Wei, D., Hu, Y., 2022. Revealing lost secrets about Yingpan Man and the Silk Road. Scientific Reports 12: 669 PDF
Lu, Y., , Liu, B., Liu, R., Jiang, H., Yang, Y., Ye, Q., Li, R., Wei, W., Chen, G.* and Dong, G.*, 2022. The lifestyle of Tuyuhun royal descendants: identification and chemical analysis of buried plants in the Chashancun cemetery, northwest China. Frontiers in Plant Science (In press) PDF
2021
Jiang, H.*,Yang, J., Liang, T., Zhang, Z., Wang, S., Qi, X., Sheng, P., 2021. Palaeoethnobotanical analysis of plant remains discovered in the graveyard of Haihun Marquis, Nanchang, China. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 30: 119-135.PDF
Jiang, H.,Li, C., Cao, H., Palidanmu, S., Cheng, Y.*, 2021. Wood utilization during the Late Bronze to Early Iron Age in the Turpan Basin of Xinjiang, China, with special emphasis on Betula (Betulaceae). Sage Open 1-10. PDF
Jiang, H.*,2021. Agropastoralism served as the best choice of human subsistence in ancient arid Central Asia. Current Anthropology 62(3) 271-272 (A comment on the paper of Spengler et al. on the same issue).PDF
Wang, L., Wang, Y., Li, W., Spate, M., Reheman, K., Sun, Q., Wang, B., Xu, H., Zhang, Z., Zhang, G.*,Jiang, H.*, 2021. Inner Asian agro-pastoralism as optimal adaptation strategy of Wupu inhabitants (3000-2400 cal BP) in Xinjiang. Holocene 31: 203-216. PDF
Chen, T., Hou, L.,Jiang, H.,Wu, Y., Henry, A., 2021. Starch grains from human teeth reveal the plant consumption of proto‑Shang people (c. 2000–1600 BC) from Nancheng site, Hebei, China.Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 13: 153.
Spengler, R.N., Stark, S., Zhou, X., Fuks, D., Tang, L., Mir-Makhamad, B., Bjørn, R.,Jiang, H.,Olivieri, L.M., Begmatov, A., Boivin, N., 2021. A Journey to the West: The Ancient Dispersal of Rice Out of East Asia, Rice 14, 83. PDF
2020
Chen, T.*, Wang, B, Power, R., Jiang, H.*. The first archaeobotanical evidence ofMedicago sativaL. in China: hay fodder for livestock. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 12: 2.
Chen, T., Wang, B, Mai, H., Jiang, H.*.Last meals inferred from the possible gut contents of a mummy: a case study at the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China. Archaeometry 62(2), 847-862.
Wang, L., Yang, J., Liang, T., Yang, J., Grassa, C.J.,Jiang, H.*. Seeds of melon (Cucumis meloL., Cucurbitaceae) discovered in the principle tomb (M1) of Haihun Marquis (59BC) in Nanchang, China. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 12:156.
Sheng, P., Zhou, H., Liu, J.,Jiang, H.*,2020. Some like it hot: Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) and other species from a late Bronze Age kingdom (Chu State) in Hubei, China. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 12：249.
2019
Zhao, M.,Jiang, H.*,Grassa, C., 2018. Archaeobotanical studies of the Yanghai cemetery in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 11, 1143-1153 (SCI/SSCI/A&HCI).
Sheng, P., Shang, X.,Jiang, H*. 2019. Archaeobotanical evidence for early utilization of cocleburs (Xanthium strumariumL., Asteraceae) in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonimous Region of China. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 11, 2027-2038 (SCI/SSCI/A&HCI).
Sheng, P., Shang, X., Zhou, X.*,Jiang, H.*,2019. Archaeobotanical Evidence of Hazelnut (Corylus heterophylla, Betulaceae) Exploitation in the Neolithic Northern China. Sage Open (SSCI).
Zhang, G., Wang, Y., Spate, M., Wang, S.,Jiang, H.*, 2019. Investigation of the diverse plant uses at the South Aisikexiaer Cemetery (~2700-2400 years bp) in the Hami Basin of Xinjiang, Northwest China. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 11, 699-711 (SCI/SSCI/A&HCI)
Ren, M., Tang, Z., Wu, X., Spengler, R.,Jiang, H., Yang, Y., Boivin, N., 2019. The origins of cannabis smoking: Chemical residue evidence from the first millennium BCE in the Pamirs, Science Advances 5, eaaw1391.
2018
Jiang, H.*, Feng, G., Liu, X., Cao, H., Wang, S., Ma, L., Ferguson, D.K., 2018. Drilling wood for fire: discoveries and studies of the fire making tools in the Yanghai cemetery of ancient Turpan, China. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 27, 197-206 (SCI/SSCI)
Qu, Y., Hu, Y., Rao, H., Abuduresule, I., Li, W., Hu, X.,Jiang, H.,Wang, C.,Yang, Y., 2018. Diverse lifestyles and populations in the Xiaohe culture of the Lop Nur region, Xinjiang, China, Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 10, 2005-2014.
Hunt, H., Rudzinski, A.,Jiang, H.,Wang, R., Thomas, M.G., Jones, M.K. 2018. Genetic evidence for a western Chinese origine of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum). Holocene 28, 1968-1978.
2017
Zhang, G., Wang, S., Ferguson, D.K., Yang, Y., Liu, X.,Jiang, H.*, 2017. Ancient plant use and palaeoenvironmental analysis at the Gumugou Cemetery, Xinjiang, China: implication from desiccated plant remains. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 9, 145-152 (SCI/SSCI/A&HCI).
Mai, H, Yang, Y., Jiang, H., Wang, B., Wang,C., 2017.Investigating the materials and manufacture of Jinzi: the lining of Futou (Chinese traditional male headwear) from the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Cultural Heritage (online)
Rao, H., Yang, Y., Hu, X., Yu, J.,Jiang, H., 2017. Identification of an Ancient Birch Bark Quiver from a Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618–907) Tomb in Xinjiang, Northwest China, Economic Botany 71, 32-44.
Liu, X., Lister D., Zhao, Z., Petrie, C., Zeng, X., Jones, P., Staff., R., Pokharia, A., Bates, J., Singh, R., Weber, S., Matuzeviciute, G., Dong, G., Li, H.,Jiang, H.,Wang, J., Ma, J., Tian, D., Jin, G., Zhou, L., Wu, X., Jones, M. 2017. Journey to the east: Diverse routes and variable flowering times for wheat and barley en route to prehistoric China. Plos One 12(11):e0187405.
2016
Jiang, H.*, Wang,L., Merlin, M.D., Clarke,R.C., Zhang, Y.,Pan, Y.,Xiao, G., Ding, Ding,X., 2016. AncientCannabisburial shroud in a Central Eurasian Cemetery. Economic Botany 70, 213-221 (SCI) (Cover story).
This paper was reported by National Geographic, and was also selected as the cover story of the 3rd issue of Economic Botany in 2016.
Chen, T., Wang, X., Dai, J., Li, W.,Jiang, H.*,2016. Plant use in the Lop Nor region of southern Xinjiang: archaeobotanical studies of the Yingpan cemetery (~25-420AD). Quaternary International 426, 166-174 (SCI).
Zhang, G., Mai, H., Liu, B., Merlin, M., Wang, S., Li., Y.,Jiang, H.*,2016. Wood analysis of an outer coffin unearthed from the Qian Zhang tomb (1553 AD) in Wuxi of eastern China. Journal of Ethnobiology 36, 930-952 (SCI).
Qiu,Z., Shang, X., Ferguson, D.K., Jiang, H.*, 2016. Archaeobotanical analysis of diverse plant food resources and palaeovegetation at the Zhumucun Site, a late Neolithic settlement of the Liangzhu Culture in East China. Quaternary International 426, 75-85 (SCI).
Qiu, Z., Liu, B., Li, Y., Shang, X.,Jiang, H.*,2016. Analysis of plant remains at the Neolithic Yangjia site, Wuxi city, Jiangsu Province. Science China: Earth Science 59, 1803-1816 (SCI).
2015
Jiang, H., 2015. Subeixi cemeteries. In: Metheny, K., and Beaudry, M. (Eds.), Archaeology of Food: An Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham. pp. 484-485PDF
Zheng, H., Jiang, H., Zhang, Y., Lü, E., Yang, Y., Wang, C., 2015. Early processed Triticeae food remains in Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China. Archaeometry 57, 378-391 (SCI).
Li, J., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Jiang, H.,*, 2015. Preliminary studies on the method of wheat processing from Shengjindian cemetery, Xinjiang. Quaternary Sciences 35, 207-217 (In Chinese with English abstract).
2014
Yang, R., Yang, Y., Li, W., Aburesule Y., Hu, X., Wang, C., Jiang, H.*, 2014. Investigation of Cereal Remains at the Xiaohe Cemetery in Xinjiang, China. Journal of Archaeological Science 49, 42-47 (SCI, *Corresponding author)
Chen, T., Yao, S., Merlin, M., Mai, H., Qiu, Z., Hu, Y., Wang, B., Wang, C., Jiang, H.*, 2014. Identification ofCannabisfiber from the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China, with reference to its unique decorative utilization. Economic Botany 68, 59-66 (SCI, *Corresponding author) PDF
Qiu, Z., Yang, Y., Shang, X., Li, W., Abuduresule, Y., Hu, X., Pan, Y., Ferguson, D.K., Hu, Y., Wang, C., Jiang, H.*, 2014. Paleo-environment and paleo-diet inferred from Early Bronze Age cow dung at the Xiaohe Cemetery, Xinjiang, NW China. Quaternary International 349, 167-177 (SCI, *Corresponding author) .
Qiu, Z., Jiang, H., Ding., J., Hu, Y., Shang, X., 2014. Pollen and phytolith evidence for rice cultivation and vegetation change during the Mid-Late Holocene at the Jiangli Site, Suzhou, East China. PLoS ONE 9(1): e86816PDF
Wang, X., Jiang, H., Wang, T., Wu, Y., Zhang, P., Wang, W., Wang, C., Shang, X., 2014. Comparison of dry ashing and wet oxidation methods for husk phytoliths of foxtail millet and common millet extraction from archaeological soil. Journal of Archaeological Science 45, 234-239
Shevchenko, A., Yang, Y., Knaust, A., Thomas, H., Jiang, H., Lu, E., Wang, C., Shevchenko, A., 2014. Proteomics identifies the composition and manufacturing recipe of the 2500-year old sourdough bread from Subeixi cemetery in China. Journal of proteomics 105, 363-71 (SCI).
2013
Jiang, H.*, Yang, J., Ferguson, D.K., Li, Y., Wang, C., Li, C.S., Liu, C., 2013. Fruit stones from Tiao Lei' s tomb of Jiangxi in China, and their palaeoethnobotanical significance. Journal of Archaeological Science 40, 1911-1917 (SCI/SSCI, * Corresponding author). PDF
Jiang, H., Wu, Y., Wang, H., Ferguson, D.K., Li, C.S., 2013. Ancient plant use at the site of Yuergou, Xinjiang, China: implications from desiccated and charred plant remains. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 22, 129-140 (SCI).PDF
Liu, H., Tian, X., Zhang, Y., Wang, C., Jiang, H*., 2013. The discovery ofArtemisia annuaL. in the Shengjindian cemetery, Xinjiang, China and its implications for early uses of traditional Chinese herbal medicine qinghao. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 146, 278-286 (SCI *Corresponding author).PDF
Dai, J., Yang, Y., Wang, B., Wang, C., Jiang, H*., 2013. Changes in wheat starch grains using different cooking methods: Insights into ancient food processing techniques. Chinese Science Bulletin 58, Sup. 82-89 (SCI * Corresponding author)PDF
Si Y., Jiang, H., Wang, B., He, Q., Hu Y., Yang, Y., Wang, C., 2013. Raman microspectroscopic analysis of polychrome wooden artifact from the Astana Tomb of the Tang dynasty, Xinjiang, China. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis 33(10), 2607-2611 (SCI)PDF.
Qiu, Z., Jiang, H., Ding, J., 2013. Studies of botanical remains at the Jiangli site, Jiangsu. Wenwu 1, 90-96 (CSSCI) (In Chinese)PDF.
Si, Y., Lv E., Li, X., Jiang, H., Hu., Y., Wang, C., 2013. Exploration of human diets and populations from the Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang. Chinese Science Bulletin 58, 1422-1429 (SCI) (In Chinese with English abstract).PDF
Liu, H., Hu, S., Zhang, P., Yang, Q., Jiang, H., Wang, W., Wang, C., 2013. Analysis of plant remains from two Yangshao sites of Shannxi, China. Archaelogy and Culture Relics 4, 108-114 (CSSCI) (In Chinese with English abstract). PDF
Li, Y., Li X., Cao, H., L, C., Jinag, H., Li, C., 2013. Grain remains from archaeological sites and development of oasis agriculture in Turpan, Xinjiang. Chinese Science Bulletin 58, Sup. 40-45 (In Chinese with English abstract).PDF
2012
Chen, T., Wu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, B., Hu, Y., Wang, C., Jiang, H*., 2012. Archaeobotanical study of ancient food and cereal remains at the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45137 (SCI *Corresponding author).PDF
Qiu, Z., Zhang, Y., Bedigian D., Li, X., Wang, C., Jiang, H*., 2012. Sesame utilization in China: new archaeobotanical evidence from Xinjiang. Economic Botany 66, 255-263 (SCI *Corresponding author). PDF
Hong, C., Jiang, H., Lü, E., Guo, L., Xie, Y., Wang, C., Yang, Y., 2012. Identification of milk component in ancient food residue by proteomics. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37053 (SCI).PDF
Yao, Y.F., Li, X., Jiang, H., Ferguson, D.K., Francis, H., Ghosh, R., Bera, S., Li, C.S., 2012. Pollen and phytoliths from fired ancient potsherds as potential indicators for deciphering past vegetation and climate in Turpan, Xinjiang, NW China. PLoS ONE 7(6): e39780 (SCI). PDF
2011
Gong, Y., Yang, Y., Ferguson, D.K., Tao, D., Li, W., Wang, C., Lü E., Jiang, H*., 2011. Investigation of ancient noodles, cakes, and millet at the Subeixi Site, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Archaeological Science 38, 470-479 (SCI/SSCI, * Corresponding author).PDF
Ma, Q., Jiang, H., Zhao, Y., 2011. Analysis of cannabinoids from leaves of ancient Cannabis sativa found in Yanghai, Xiniang, China. Natural Product Research and Development 23, 82-84, 88 (In Chinese with English Abstract).PDF
Hong, C., Jiang, H., Yang, Y., Lv, E., Wang, C., 2011. Application of enzyme－linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in the detection of ancient milk residues. Sciences of Conservation and Archaeology 23 (1), 25-28 (In Chinese with English Abstract).PDF
2009
Jiang, H., Zhang, Y.B., Li, X., Yao, Y.F., Ferguson D.K., Lü, E.G., Li, C.S., 2009. Evidence for early viticulture in China: proof of a grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., Vitaceae) in the Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang. Journal of Archaeological Science 36, 1458-1465 (SCI/SSCI).PDF
Philippe, M., Jiang, H., Kim, K., Changhwan, O.H., Gromyko, D., Harland, M., Paik, I., Thevenard, F., 2009. Structure and diversity of the Mesozoic wood genus Xenoxylon in Far-East Asia: implications for terrestrial palaeoclimates. Lethaia 42, 393-406 (SCI).PDF
2008
Jiang, H., Wang, B., Li X., Lü, E.G., Li, C.S., 2008. A consideration of the involucre remains ofCoix lacryma-jobiL. (Poaceae) in the Sampula Cemetery (2000 years BP), Xinjiang, China. Journal of Archaeological Science 35, 1311-1316 (SCI/SSCI).PDF
Jiang, H., Ferguson, D.K., Li, C.S., Cheng, Y.M., 2008. Fossil coniferous wood from the Middle Jurassic of Liaoning Province, China. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 150, 37-47 (SCI).PDF
Russo, E.B., Jiang, H., Li, X., Sutton, A., Carboni, A., del Bianco, F., Mandolino, G., Potter, D.J., Zhao, Y.X., Bera, S., Zhang, Y.B., Lu, E.G., Ferguson, D.K., Hueber, F., Zhao, L.C., Liu, C.J., Wang, Y.F. and Li, C.S., 2008. Phytochemical and genetic analyses of ancient cannabis from Central Asia. Journal of Experimental Botany 59, 4171-4182 (SCI).PDF
Mukherjee, A., Roy, S., De Bera, S., Jiang, H., Li, X., Li, C.S., Bera, S., 2008. Results of molecular analysis of an archaeological hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) DNA sample from North West China. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 55, 481-485 (SCI).PDF
Ghosh, R., Gupta, S., Bera, S., Jiang, H., Li, X., Li, C.S., 2008. Ovi-caprid dung as an indicator of paleovegetation and paleoclimate in northwestern China. Quaternary Research 70, 149-157 (SCI).PDF
2007
Jiang, H., Li, X., Ferguson, D.K., Wang, Y.F., Liu, C.J., Li, C.S., 2007. The discovery of Capparis spinosa L. (Capparidaceae) in the Yanghai Tombs (2500 years BP), NW China, and its medicinal implications. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 113, 409-420 (SCI).PDF
Jiang, H., Li, X., Liu, C.J., Wang, Y.F., Li, C.S., 2007. Fruits of Lithospermum officinale L. (Boraginaceae) used as an early plant decoration (2500 years BP) in Xinjiang, China. Journal of Archaeological Science 34, 167-170 (SCI/SSCI).PDF
Jiang, H., Li, X., Li, C.S. 2007. Cereal remains from Yanghai Tomb in Turapn, Xinjiang and their palaeoenvironmental significance. Journal of Palaeogergraphy 9, 551-558 (In Chinese with English Abstract).PDF
Jiang, H., 2007. The ethnobotanical history ofCannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae). In: Li, C.S., (ed.) Advances in Plant Sciences. Vol. 7. Beijing: Higher Education Press (In Chinese).PDF
Luo, J.R., Jiang, H., Zhao, Y.X., Qian, J.F., 2007. Volatiles from the Heartwood of Populus euphratica in Ancient Tomb. Natural Product Research and Development 19, 819-821 (In Chinese with English Abstract).PDF
2006
Jiang, H., Li, X., Zhao, Y.X., Ferguson, D.K., Subir, B., Francis, H., Wang, Y.F., Zhao, L.C., Liu, C.J., Li, C.S., 2006. A new insight intoCannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 108, 414-422 (SCI).PDF
2004
Jiang, H., Li, C.S., 2004. The vascular structure of early land plants. In: Li, C.S., (ed.) Advances in Plant Sciences. Vol. 6. Beijing: Higher Education Press (In Chinese).PDF
Conferences
2) The 38th International Symposium on Archaeometry (ISA) in the University of South Florida, Tampa, USA, 2010
3) The 39th International Symposium on Archaeometry (ISA) in the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven, Belgium, 2012
Current Projects
2) Plant utilization and human adaptation under hostile environment of ancient Turpan: a case study of the Subeixi Culture (3.0-1.9 ka BP) (NSFC, Grant No. 41102114)
Updating information
Updated 26/12/2012