Background, aim, and scope Due to the fluctuation of atmospheric ¹⁴C itself, the calibration curve fluctuates repeatedly, forming radiocarbon plateaus that can last for hundreds of years. “Hallstatt Plateau” is one occurred between 800—400 BC, covering most of the so called archaeological Early Iron Age. Because of the existence of this radiocarbon plateau, the calendar age of this period always has a span of nearly 400 years, so it is impossible to obtain a more accurate age distribution merely by increasing the sample size. Many parts of the world have no solid written records to rely on at that time. Thus, it is difficult to further subdivide the Early Iron Age sites into different occupation phases in these areas. Materials and methods Taking the Early Iron Age remains in Xinjiang as an example, this paper introduces the principle and scope of applications of tree ring cross-dating, ¹⁴C wiggle-matching, Bayesian model and geomagnetic dating, and discusses the feasibility of applying the above methods to improve the dating accuracy of the Early Iron Age sites in Xinjiang. Results Combined with the actual situation of archaeological discoveries in Xinjiang, all the above-mentioned methods have their superiorities and shortcomings. Discussion Both ¹⁴C wiggle-matching and tree ring cross-dating can produce high-precision dating results for sites with good preservation of wood, but money or time consuming. Bayesian model has advantages in narrowing the chronological range of sites utilizing existing dates. While for the method of geomagnetic dating, large dating error and limited dating material make it the last choice. Conclusions For now, ¹⁴C wiggle-match dating can be the best choice to solve the age problem of Early Iron Age sites in Xinjiang. Recommendations and perspectives Combined with the characteristics of the relics of the Early Iron Age in Xinjiang, this paper believes that the appropriate methods should be selected according to the preservation of materials and the needs of research.]]> 2022/1/26 12:57:52 1, 2]]> DONG Weimiao^{1, 2} 6true 2023/1/13 16:15:13 *]]> CHEN Yiping^* 5true Journal of Hebei Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), in which two questions on the “chronology” and “parietal art definition” were aroused. Therefore, this article was written to respond to the doubts above. Here we systematically interpreted the reliability of the U-Th dating and provided the solid grounds for naming the parietal art for the hand- and footprints published in Zhang et al. (2021). We also put forward our concerns. Based on systematic analysis, extensive citations and detailed demonstration, we believed there were flaws and misleading in the critiques of Tang H S et al.’s article in 2022. We believed that the U-Th method is currently the most suitable method for dating the travertine at the Quesang hot spring, and the dates are reliable. Besides, the term “parietal art” is the most suitable term to describe the hand- and footprints.]]> 2023/3/7 17:16:33 1, WANG Leibin^1*, CHENG Hai², ZHANG Haiwei^2*, ZHANG Shengda¹, LI Teng¹, ZHANG Yue¹, SU Jiajia¹, CHEN Shimin¹]]> ZHANG D. David¹, WANG Leibin^1*, CHENG Hai², ZHANG Haiwei^2*, ZHANG Shengda¹, LI Teng¹, ZHANG Yue¹, SU Jiajia¹, CHEN Shimin¹ 4true Background, aim, and scope The tectonic uplift of the Cenozoic Tibetan Plateau has produced a chain effect, which is an excellent location for Earth system science research, and its uplift process, mechanism and environmental effects are the hot spot and frontier of the current research. The “Tibetan Plateau uplift—weathering—CO₂ concentration—global climate change” model was put forward by Raymo and Ruddiman to interpret the Late Cenozoic climate change. However, there are still some questions suspended, such as does the weathering of the Tibetan Plateau have the ability to control the global climate? How to explain the modern-like global CO₂ concentration starting at about 24 Ma? Here, a short space was taken to present a brainstorm about the above questions on account of existing geological pieces of evidence. Materials and methods In this paper, we integrate the formation and evolution of the Yangtze River and Pearl River, the origin and development of the Asian inland aridification-monsoon system, the Cenozoic tectonic uplift process of the Tibetan Plateau, and the westerly winds to discuss and analyze the relationship between the Cenozoic CO₂ concentration changes and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and why the CO₂ concentration similar to the present was formed at about 24 Ma. Results Similar correspondence of the surface uplift history of Xizang, other global mountains, and the declining CO₂ concentration could support the theory Tibetan Plateau weathering influences CO₂ concentration. Starting from 24 Ma, the most important character was the uplift and erosion of Xizang and Himalaya, collaborating with Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) together as an entity to control the atmospheric CO₂ concentration because the great Asian rivers, Asian monsoons, and westerlies connected Xizang and surrounded seas together through materials transportation. Discussion Paleogeographic reconstructions from 40 Ma to 20 Ma illustrate that the main topographic change occurred in the Andes, Cordillera orogenic belt, and Xizang. We comprise a comprehensive set of evidence from independent data, which correspond temporally with the tipping point (about 24 Ma) of the atmospheric CO₂ and we noticed that modern-like Asia monsoon, inland aridity, Asian great rivers, and climate zone formed at about 24 Ma and also there are tectonic activities for the Andes and Rockies. We raised the possibility that the modern-like atmospheric CO₂ concentration at about 24 Ma was caused by the above geological factors. Here the rivers, monsoon, and westerlies are termed as “connectors”. In addition, these Asian rivers originated from Xizang, the monsoon, and inner Asian aridification are strongly a function of the uplift and growth of Xizang, thus, Xizang here is named as “trigger”. The distinct character of “trigger-connectors” model is that this not only takes the monsoon, westerlies, and the global great rivers into consideration but also expands the range which influences atmospheric CO₂ concentration, from local points to a vast area since about 24 Ma, such as from Tibetan Plateau to Asia, including surrounded seas, after about 24 Ma. However, because the opening of the Late Oligocene—Early Miocene Antarctic periphery straits is highly coincident with the onset of modern-like global atmospheric CO₂ concentration, we are forced to consider that they also had a significant impact on the reduction of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations at this time. Conclusions “Trigger-connectors” was put forward to explain the Cenozoic CO₂ variation, especially modern-like global CO₂ concentration since about 24 Ma. Recommendations and perspectives Here we use the “trigger-connectors” model to explain the formation of modern-like CO₂ concentrations starting at about 24 Ma, but there are still some problems. The most important premise for the “trigger-connectors” model is the constructed Cenozoic CO₂ concentration record is reliable, which is the foundation of our hypothesis. In the future, potential improvements should focus on topographic reconstructions of Xizang and the global mountains. Here we have concentrated on Xizang in the considered timeslices but still, pay less attention to other global orogenic belts. Collaborations with geologist experts in those regions could provide valuable feedback to evaluate their potential role of them in CO₂ evolution. What is more, considerable progress may be achieved with the addition and consideration of more and new geological data.]]> 2024/9/24 17:45:38 LI Leyi, CHANG Hong 3true 2025/11/3 16:16:34 LI Leyi, CHANG Hong 2true K can represent the motion characteristics of the sun relative to the mass center of the solar system. The maximum distance of the mass center of the sun from the mass center of the solar system has exceeded the actual diameter of the sun, indicating that the mass center of the solar system is no longer within the sun itself. The variation in the sun’s distance to the solar system’s mass center, relative to the planetary motion orbits, is the variation in the position of the sun’s focus. The K vector index indirectly indicates that the sun’s orbital motion has a sub-orbital scale quasi-2400 a characteristic period and significant orbital scale quasi-100 ka and quasi-410 ka cycles. It has found that the sun’s focus exhibits millennial-scale 180° reversals along the elliptical orbital arc. This suggests that the variation in earth’s orbital eccentricity is not solely due to the perturbation of the planetary system but should also consider the contribution of the planetary system’s balancing and regulatory effects on the sun’s orbital motion. Additionally, it has been discovered that the quasi-410 ka period of earth’s orbital eccentricity serves as a geological timing “pendulum” with quasi-directional constancy. This new concept may provide new insights and theoretical exploration pathways for discussing the causes of climate change at orbital and sub-orbital scales.]]> 2025/3/14 18:00:50 LIU Fugang 1true