石叶概念探讨

石叶(Blade)是旧石器时代重要的石制品类型之一, 中国对石叶的研究始于1923年水洞沟遗址的发掘,然而目前对石叶的定义仍有所不同; 且着重于形态(如长宽比)的定义在实际操作时容易扩大石叶的范围。本文重新审视石叶的定义, 着重强调其技术和背脊属性, 将石叶定义为, 从预制有平直脊的石核上剥制的两侧边中上部平行或近平行, 背面有平直的脊, 长度一般为宽度的两倍以上, 宽度超过12mm的石片。打制石器的形态变异大, 遗址中常出现一些形态上类似石叶的石片, 但其缺乏明显的石叶技术,这类产品可称为"长石片"。确定遗址中是否存在石叶的关键是, 深入分析遗址中是否存在石叶石核及石叶技术; 只有以"操作链"的思想, 考察石叶产生的过程, 才能有效地确定石叶技术的存在与否。

A Discussion of How Blades are Defined

Blade technology,considered by many scholars as the marker of modern humans,and its relationship with the transitional and initial Upper Paleolithic industries,are hotly discussed in the scientific community.With the occurrence of general blade assemblages in China as extremely limited,sites containing blade technology play an essential role in any discussion of blade technology diffusion and Eurasian population migrations.Since the discovery and recognition of blade production at the Shuidonggou Locality 1 in 1923,the definition of this significant Upper Paleolithic stone artifact has always been discussed,but is still ambiguous.Considering the widespread distribution of blade technology in North China,a clearer definition of blades is crucial to understand of that distribution and of the composition of blade technology in the Chinese Paleolithic.Several different flaking methods can be used to produce blades,but they may represent different populations,or have variable duration and spatial distribution during the Paleolithic.This paper limits discussion of prismatic blade technology to the Upper Paleolithic,but recognizes the importance of understanding blade technology throughout China at different times and different regions.Standard definitions distinguish blades from simple flakes by employing dimension as a significant criterion,especially the ratio of length and width.My research re-examines these definitions in a way of "genus and differentia" and presents a new definition emphasizing technological attributes as well as characteristics of the dorsal ridge.A blade is long and relatively thin and is defined as at least twice as long as it is wide(usually more than 12 mm).It is usually flaked from prepared cores with vertical ridges,and characterized by parallel sides at proximal and middle sections with straight ridges on the dorsal surface.However,there is much variability in blade production and it is hard to observe these technological features,so it is important to consider the full scope of blade manufacturing techniques in an assemblage,especially core reduction.