The Late Neolithic coastal communities of Fujian emerge from a shoreline stitched with shell middens, river channels, and small villages. Archaeological data from sites such as Tanshishan and Xitoucun (Minhou, along the Min River) indicate a landscape intensively exploited for marine and estuarine resources between roughly 2850 and 2200 BCE. Pottery styles, polished stone tools, and the composition of midden material suggest long-standing local traditions adapted to tidal flats and riverine floodplains.
Limited evidence suggests these communities participated in wider coastal networks. The Min River corridor and adjacent shores would have acted as arteries for people, goods, and ideas, connecting the Fujian littoral to islands and mainland coasts. Archaeological indicators — specialized fishing gear, shell assemblages, and distinctive ceramic types — point to a culture shaped by salt, sea breezes, and seasonal inundation. While the material record is increasingly detailed at Tanshishan, regional variation persists and must be read cautiously: preservation bias and uneven excavation mean our reconstruction is partial and provisional.
