Prehistoric Wood Utilisation at the Wupu Cemetery (1050-400 BC), Hami, Xinjiang, China: Implications from Wooden Funerary Objects and Bows

Located at the heart of Eurasia, the Wupu Cemetery reflects influences from both Eastern and Western cultural traditions. In the present study, 3 tree species were identified from 40 wooden funerary objects and 2 bows, including Salix sp. (76.19%), Populus sp. (21.43%), and Tamarix sp. (2.38%). Despite the constraints imposed by local vegetation, the inhabitants of Wupu developed a selective and adaptive wood use strategy, choosing specific species according to functional needs. Wood served as the foundational material for agricultural implements, transportation equipment, and hunting weapons, with the recurved composite bow representing a particular zenith of technical sophistication.