Abstract

Pollen analysis of 19 samples from 4 locationsin in the P’uli Basin in Nantou Country, ROC. Was carried out during 1972-3. A total of 5,000 fossil palynomorphs were observed and identified. Based on the different pollen assemblages, the pollen diagram has B1, B2 and B3. Zone A, with samples from the surface layer of each as Pinaceae, Betulaceae, Magnoliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Cyperaceae, Convolulaceae and Gramineae. Zone B, was found from zone B1 and B3 were subtripical waste land elements, namely Plantago, Carex Cyperus, Gremineae, andgenera of Convoluaceae. Pollen assemblages of subzone B2 are the same as those of zone A. Indicator pollen grains for reforestation are those of Cryptomeria, Cunninghamiam and Pinus, and for crop cultivation are assemblages of Plantago, Ipomea, Cyperus, Carex, Gramineae and Chenopodium. According to rediocarbon dating the initial defroestation of the area occured between 5000 to 15900 B.P. before the beginning of zone B. Evidence for cultivation are shown by the appearance of cereal pollen grains and waste land elements form subzone B3 by at least 3000 Neolithic peoples of the Lunshanoid culture of southwest Taiwan and southeast China arrived to this area before 2381 B.P.