试析中国长江中游地区大型尖状类石器遗存的区域传统

大型尖状类石器在长江中游地区相邻或相近的汉水上游、丹江口库区、三峡地区和澧阳平原等不同区域保存有不同的技术传统。汉中盆地的大型尖状类石器多选自河滩砾石为毛坯直接加工。丹江口库区无论是调查数据还是发掘数据其比例均高于汉中盆地,现有发掘材料来看其大型尖状类石器有稳定的传统,即选自砾石直接单面或两面加工而成,但调查的材料显示存在另外一种传统,即选取砾石生产长度大于10cm的大石片,以大石片为毛坯加工大型尖状类石器。三峡地区古人类在更新世期间似乎不存在有生产大型尖状类石器的传统,为数不多的手镐与当地的砾石砍砸器和石片砍砸器应当为"同质异型"类器物。澧阳平原及周边丘陵区内发现的大型尖状类石器相比于汉中盆地和丹江口库区,发现数量最多,技术传统也最为复杂,至少包括三种不同的技术。大型尖状类石器在不同区域显示不同的技术传统,暗示从中更新世开始长江中游地区可能在一定程度上形成了并不简单的文化关系。

Observations of Large Point Tools from the Middle Yangzi River

Large point tools are a common type found in the middle Yangzi River valley and environs. In this paper, we examine the large point-tool assemblages from the perspective of the cha?ne opératoire identifying production technology variability in the region. In the assemblage upstream of the Han River, large point tools were produced by knapping cobbles. However, assemblages from Danjiangkou Reservoir had a higher frequency of large point tools than areas upstream of the Han River. Tools were made on cobbles by unifacial or bifacial retouch. Alternatively, large flakes (longer than 10 cm) were produced and then used as blanks to make large point tools. In the Three Gorges valley, large point tools are comparatively rare, and might have had similar functions to choppers. Compared with these regions, Liyang Plain has yielded the largest number of large point tools and these assemblages present the most complex technological system with at least three different technologies practiced. Technological variability and the persistence of technological tradition in each region indicate that the middle Yangzi River might have been occupied by different cultural groups but with certain degree of social and cultural relationship.