管窥新中国旧石器考古学的重大发展

本文对近５０年来中国旧石器考古学的主要成果作了简要的记述。依若干早更新世人类化石和旧石器文化地点发现的先后, 论述了人类在中国境内的历史悠久性, 随着不断的新发现而加深对这个问题的认识。在文中对中国旧石器工业的基本框架进行了探讨,提出北、南方主工业二元结构与多种区域性工业类型并存的看法,从中可以看到中国旧石器工业类型的多样性。此外,还讨论了如诸工业类型彼此关系和历史发展不平衡等问题, 同时对今后工作也提出了一点拙见     

关于“中国旧石器时代中期”的探讨

本文探讨了中国旧石器时代中期考古学研究的若干问题,包括研究历史、资料现状、年代学手段、石器技术的特点及发展变化,以及与西方旧石器时代考古学的历史渊源及现状比较。通过对“中国旧石器时代中期”这一术语的来源及其所涵盖的时限及文化内涵的演变,对这一时代界定所采取的原则和方法,以及中国旧石器时代文化特点的考察,作者认为“中国旧石器时代中期”不是一个严格和有意义的学术概念,因而中国旧石器时代考古学应摒弃传统的3期断代模式,而改为早、晚两期的2分法。文章并对中国旧石器时代早期延续时间的长久和晚期出现新的文化内容的动因进行了讨论。     

DNA Length Polymorphism of Tetranucleotide Repeat at the 5′ Side of the Myelin Basic Protein Gene in Russian Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The myelin basic protein gene (MBP) can confer the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis, because its protein product is the main protein component of myelin of the central nervous system and a potential autoimmune antigen in the disease. A possible association of multiple sclerosis with alleles and genotypes of a microsatellite repeat (TGGA) _n , located to the 5 side from the first exon of MBP in ethnic Russians (126 patients with definite multiple sclerosis and 142 healthy controls from Central Russia) was analyzed in a case–control study. Upon separation of the tetranucleotide repeat amplification products in 1.5% agarose gel, one can see two distinct bands that can be analyzed as two allele groups (A and B). The distribution of allele A and B group frequencies as well as phenotype frequency of alleles B and genotype frequency of A/A differs significantly in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls. Alleles A and genotype A/A are associated with multiple sclerosis. We also analyzed the association of multiple sclerosis with combined bearing of alleles and genotypes A and B of MBP and groups of alleles of the DRB1 gene of the major histocompatibility complex that correspond to serological specificities DR1-DR18. The comparison of subgroups of multiple sclerosis patients and healthy individuals, stratified according to HLA-DRB1 phenotypes, has shown a reliable increase in the phenotype frequency of allele B in healthy individuals and the genotype A/A frequency in patients, only among DR4- and DR5-positive individuals. No significant difference was found in the MBP allele and genotype distribution between multiple sclerosis patients and healthy individuals in combined groups of (DR4,DR5)-negative individuals, i.e., in the group of carriers of any phenotype except DR4 and DR5. Thus, MBP or some other nearby gene is involved in the multiple sclerosis development in Russians, predominantly (or exclusively) among DR4 and DR5 carriers. In this case, without stratification of analyzed individuals by the MBP alleles, multiple sclerosis is associated only with DR2(15), but not DR4 and DR5 alleles of DRB1. The results obtained are in favor of the genetic heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis, and suggest the possibility of epistatic interactions between the MBP and DRB1 genes.     

Human remains from the Austrian Gravettian: the Willendorf femoral diaphysis and mandibular symphysis

Early excavations at the Willendorf site complex in Austria yielded a femoral diaphysis collected between 1883 and 1887 and a mandibular symphysis discovered in 1908--1909. The femoral section, Willendorf 1, derives from the Willendorf I site and direct AMS (14)C dating (24,250+/-180 years B.P.) assigns it to layer 9. The Willendorf 2 mandibular piece was excavated from layer 9 of the Willendorf II site, which is AMS (14)C dated to 24,000--23,900 years B.P. The Willendorf 1 femoral piece is relatively small and exhibits a pronounced pilaster and linear aspera, moderately elevated relative cortical area, and a level of diaphyseal robusticity in the middle of the European earlier Upper Paleolithic human range of variation, assuming similar body proportions. The Willendorf 2 mandibular symphysis has an inferior lingual torus, a planum alveolare, and a mental trigone with indistinct lateral tubercles, a clear fossa mentalis and a midline basilar rounding. In these features it is close to the majority of European earlier Upper Paleolithic mandibles.     

The current state of korean paleoanthropology

The hominid fossil and Paleolithic archaeology records from the Korean Peninsula are extensive, but relatively little is known about the Korean human evolutionary record outside this region. The Korean paleoanthropological record is reviewed here in light of major research issues, including the hominid fossil record, relative and chronometric dating, lithic analysis, hominid subsistence, and the presence of bone tools, art and symbolism. Some of the major conclusions drawn from this review include: (1) hominid fossils have been found in nine separate sites on the Korean Peninsula; (2) possible Homo erectus fossils are present in North Korea; (3) Ryonggok Cave, in North Korea, has exposed the remains of at least five archaic Homo sapiens individuals; (4) a possible burial of an anatomically modern Homo sapiens child, discovered in Hungsu Cave in South Korea, has been tentatively dated to roughly 40,000 years ago; (5) handaxes and cleavers have been found at a number of sites near Chongokni and they appear to date to at least 100,000 years ago; and (6) taphonomic studies are necessary for addressing issues related to determining the nature of hominid-carnivore interaction over similar resources (e.g. carcasses and shelter); and the presence/absence of Early Paleolithic bone tools, art, and symbolism in Korea.     

The Upper Paleolithic triple burial of Dolní Vestonice: pathology and funerary behavior

This work focuses on paleopathological analysis of one of the skeletons from the Gravettian triple burial of Dolní Vestonice (Moravia) and addresses issues of Upper Paleolithic funerary behavior. The burial includes the well-preserved skeletons of three young individuals. The skeleton in the middle (DV 15) is pathological and very problematic to sex; the other two (DV 13 and DV 14) are males and lie in an unusual position. The young age, the possibility of a simultaneous interment, and the position of the three specimens have given rise to speculations about the symbolic significance of this spectacular and intriguing funerary pattern. The pathological condition of the skeleton in the middle further emphasizes its peculiarity. Main pathological changes of the DV 15 skeleton include: asymmetric shortening of the right femur and of left forearm bones, bowing of the right femur, right humerus, and left radius, elongation of fibulae, dysplasias of the vertebral column, and very marked enamel hypoplasias. Scrutiny of the medical literature suggests that the most likely etiology is chondrodysplasia calcificans punctata (CCP) complicated by trauma and early fractures of the upper limbs. CCP is a rare inherited disorder characterized by stippled ossification of the epiphyses. The cartilaginous stippling is a transient phenomenon that disappears during infancy, leaving permanent deformities on affected bones. Among the different forms of CCP, the X-linked dominant form is that resulting in asymmetric shortening and is lethal during early infancy in males. Thus, survival of DV 15 until young adult age would require the specimen to be a female. Clinical findings often associated with the disease (erythemas, ichthyosis, alopecia, cataracts, and joint contractures, among others) would emphasize the singular aspect of this individual, pointing to a condition that should be carefully taken into account when speculating on the significance of that peculiar burial.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Pleistophora-like microsporidia based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences and implications for the source of trachipleistophora hominis infections

The microsporidian Trachipleistophora hominis was isolated in vitro from the skeletal muscle of an AIDS patient. Since its discovery several more cases of myositis due to Trachipleistophora have been diagnosed but the source of infection is unknown. Morphologically, T. hominis most closely resembles Pleistophora and Vavraia, which undergo polysporous sporogony in sporophorous vesicles, but differs from these genera in the mode of formation of sporoblasts and in the morphology of the sporophorous vesicles. Alignment and analyses of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of T. hominis and several other polysporoblastic genera indicated that its closest phylogenetic relationships were with species of the genera Pleistophora and Vavraia, in line with morphological predictions. The type species of the latter two genera are Pleistophora typicalis and Vavraia culicis; these are parasites of fish and mosquitoes, respectively. These results suggest two possible routes and sources of infection to AIDS patients, these being perorally by ingestion of inadequately cooked fish or crustaceans or percutaneously during a bloodmeal taken by a haematophagous insect. Support for an insect source has been provided by recent detection of a microsporidium from mosquitoes in human corneal tissue.     

重庆丰都瓦啄嘴遗址的小哺乳动物

瓦啄嘴遗址位于重庆市丰都县高家镇官田沟村2组,地貌特征为长江右岸二级阶地。地理坐标30°01′56.7″N,107°51′51.7″E,海拔167 m,为距今约70-80 ka的旧石器时代中期遗址。遗址与附近发现的井水湾遗址等紧密相连,反映三峡地区二级阶地曾分布有密集古人类活动遗迹。遗址出土有7科10属11种小哺乳动物化石,分别为Soriculus nigrescens,Chodsigoa smithii,Anourosorex squamipes,Crocidura suaveolens,Rhinolophus pearsoni,Hipposideros armiger,Rattus norvegicus,Rattus flavipectus,Trogopterus xanthipes,Rhizomys pruinosus,Nesolagus sinensis。小哺乳动物生境和活动规律反映,古人类经济生产所涉及资源域广泛,对垂直高差显著的山地环境有很强适应能力。遗址小环境为峡谷区低海拔热带季风气候。但在遗址周围山地,则分布有亚热带常绿阔叶林、温带针阔混交林和针叶林等立体植被带。遗址小哺乳动物群中食虫目种类和最小个体数较多。而中华苏门答腊兔(N.sinensis)的发现,则为三峡峡谷晚更新世早期热带季风气候区的存在提供了证据。     

晋西南旧石器考古学研究现状及其展望

晋西南古称河东,位于汾渭地堑中部,包括临汾盆地、运城盆地以及中条山南麓黄河沿岸。这里自古就是中华民族文明重要发祥地,也是研究人类起源、发展、演化的重要地区。20世纪50年代以来,考古工作者在山西地堑发现了300余处旧石器时代遗址和地点。这些发现业已证明晋西南的临汾、运城以及中条山南麓黄河沿岸,从早更新世初期直到更新世结束一直有人类在这片土地上繁衍生息。其中西侯度遗址、匼河遗址群、丁村遗址群、下川遗址群、柿子滩遗址群,代表了东亚旧石器时代人类200万年以来从能人→直立人→早期智人→晚期智人各个不同发展阶段一个完整的演化历程。因此,这里成为中国大陆一个非常重要的远古人类演化场。本文试图通过对这一区域旧石器考古的回顾,找出我们工作中的不足以及需要努力的方向,并向本地区考古学研究的开拓者贾兰坡、王建、王择义等老一辈考古学家致敬。     

山东青岛大珠山遗址晚更新世人类活动的环境背景

大珠山遗址是青岛市首个具有地层依据的旧石器遗址。该遗址的发掘不仅丰富了我国沿海地区的旧石器考古材料,更对探讨早期人类的生存适应和迁移扩散等问题具有深远意义。解译遗址中的环境背景信息,可以帮助我们更准确地理解当时人类的生存状态。本文通过花粉和磁化率等指标,重建了该遗址所在区域的环境演变过程。研究结果显示:1)大珠山遗址的光释光年龄为65.7-52.9ka,对应MIS4-MIS3c;2)从MIS5b到MIS3b(86.0-45.0ka),区域植被经历4个演替阶段,依次为落叶林草原、落叶阔叶林草原、温带草原和疏林草原,其反映的气候趋势与区域背景下的环境变化过程基本一致;3)MIS4-MIS3c期间迅速回暖的气候,稳定适宜的生存环境,均为早期人类的活动提供良好的生态背景。随后气候转冷,海岸线后退,该地区的人类遗存明显减少,可能指示人类活动减弱或者迁出。这种不同时期内的人类活动强度的变化,表明气候主控下的生存环境变化深刻影响着近海地区早期人类的适应策略。