Human activity and its impact on the landscape at the Xishanping site in the western Loess Plateau during 4800-4300 cal yr BP based on the fossil charcoal record

► The dramatic changes of vegetation were a result of human impact after 4600 cal yr BP. ► Nuts and berries were important food resource and fruit trees were managed by prehistoric humans. ► The intensity and scale influenced by prehistoric human are biggish in the western Loess Plateau.