Table of Content

15 December 2017, Volume 36 Issue 04

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Tooth enamel chipping of Late Pleistocene humans from Maomaodong, Guizhou Province, China

LIU Wu, John WILLMAN,CAO Bo, ZHANG Pu, DONG Xin, WU Xiujie

2017, 36(04):  427-437. 

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Dental enamel chipping is a specific dental wear feature indicative of behaviors and tooth-use during the life of an individual. Enamel chipping provides information on consistency and texture of food, the methods of obtaining and processing food, and the use of dentition for non-masticatory behaviors. Despite the utility of dental chipping for reconstructing aspects of prehistoric human lifeways, the prevalence and patterning of enamel chipping for Late Pleistocene humans is especially rare. In the present study, the size, frequency, and patterning of enamel chippings among Late Pleistocene humans from the Maomaodong site, Xingyi, Guizhou Province in Southwest China are analyzed. The results show that enamel chipping occurs on the post-canine dentitions of two of the three individuals. The small sample does not allow extensive comparisons, but the rates of chipping are similar to those documented in other foraging groups. The chips were found exclusively on molars of the more heavily worn dentitions. Similarly, there is an age-related component to the presence of periodontal disease, whereby only the two older adults exhibit periodontal disease (in addition to enamel chipping). We suggest that enamel chipping is primarily related to the inclusion of small, hard items in the diet. The chips are numerous, but relatively small – probably related to dietary grit and food processing techniques. Periodontal disease is indicative of a relatively high morbidity in older adults from Maomaodong. In addition, multiple occurrences of enamel chippings on nearly all enamel chipped molars suggest a long time consumption of rough and hard foods by the Maomaodong humans.

The tooth wear of the Bronze-Iron Age’s population from Jiayi cemetery in Turpan depression, Xinjiang province

ZHANG Quanchao, ZHANG Wenxin, WANG Long, XIAO Guoqiang, ZHU Hong

2017, 36(04):  438-456. 

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This paper presents a study of the tooth wear, oral diseases and masticatory pressure on the human teeth from Jiayi Cemetery (10th~2nd Century BC), which is located in Turpan City, Xinjiang Province. Results indicate that Jiayi ancient population had a heavy tooth wear, while both their anterior and posterior teeth were suggested to be used actively during their whole lives. Besides, their teeth show a remarkable and high-frequent oblique wear pattern, which is especially obvious on their molars. We also found that very few individuals (1.6% of teeth, n=1115; 18.8% of individuals, n=69) suffered from dental caries. Other oral features and diseases, including antemortem tooth loss (43.5%), Calculus (71.0%), abscessing (46.4%) and periodontal disease (37.7%) were also found to be common among this ancient population (percentages by individuals, n=69). 9 individuals (13.0%) showed obvious mandible exostoses, which means they had been under heavy masticatory pressure for a long time before death. The low rate of caries indicates that grain foods were not that common in Jiayi people’s diet, while oblique wear pattern is an obvious sign on the teeth of people whose daily staples are always made of grains. In order to analyze the oblique wear pattern of Jiayi ancient population, we carried a quantization study which is built on the use of Wear Orientation (Iwo) on their molars. Ethnological investigations, archaeological findings and modern medicine researches were also considered in our discussion of the factors account for the complicated wear pattern and oral diseases. Clues show that Jiayi ancient population might rely much on hard foods, especially some kinds of processed grain foods, to adapt to the tough environment and their nomadic lifestyle. This hypothesis is likely to be the answer to the confusing features of Jiayi people’s teeth. According to our conclusion, meat occupied a main part of Jiayi ancient population’s diet, while grain foods were also among the important compositions. The tough environment in Turpan Depression, as well as the unique food procession technologies to make food adaptable for their nomadic lifestyle may have caused the hardness of daily foods for Jiayi ancient population, thus led to the oblique wear pattern and heavy wear on their posterior teeth.

A study on the perforated bone from Sunjiadong site in Henan Province

ZHANG Yue, ZHANG Shuangquan, GU Xuejun, LI Xuan

2017, 36(04):  457-464. 

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Perforated beadwork represents a technology specific to humans used to convey social information to other individuals through a shared symbolic language. As such, it provides new evidence and clues to learn about the early emergence and dispersal of behavioral modernity in the world. It is therefore critical to correctly identify the artefactual nature of perforated objects; otherwise chaos would result in the reconstruction of mankind’s cultural innovations and dispersal routes. Sunjiadong site, in Henan province, is dated to 0.4 Ma BP and has yielded a few stone artifacts, human teeth, and fossils belonging to mid-Pleistocene animals, such as Megaloceros pachyosteus and Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis. A perforated bone was found within the fossil assemblage and has been analyzed both macroscopically and microscopically. Compared with archaeological specimens of humanly perforated bones, examples of naturally perforated bones, and specimens produced in actualistic experiments (mainly digested bones regurgitated by hyenas), the Sunjiadong perforated specimen is interpreted as possessing all the typical characteristics of a hyena-regurgitated bone. It differs largely with those modified by beetles and human boring. It is suggested that the Sunjiadong perforated bone was first gnawed by a hyena and then was swallowed; due to the action of gastric hydrochloric acid, the result was a loss of mineral matter, with the margins of the specimen becoming thinner and sharper, meeting at an acute angle. The uneven edges of the perforations made by carnivore teeth were eroded and rounded by digestion. The perforation itself and the bone’s outer surface were identically corroded, and the parallel structure of the bone fibers was revealed by acid etching.

A study of the tanged points of the Upper Paleolithic in the Korean Peninsula

CHOI Cheolmin, HOU Zhe, GAO Xing

2017, 36(04):  465-477. 

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The purpose of this paper is to understand the general form and distinct features of the Tanged points that are the typical hunting weapon in the Upper Paleolithic of the Korean Peninsula, and to understand the manufacturing techniques of Tanged points. Tanged points were first recovered and recognized in 1964 from the site of Seokjang-ri, the first Paleolithic site to be excavated in the southern part of Korea. Following this, 48 Tanged points were uncovered at the Suyanggae site in 1983.To date, these artifacts have now been confirmed at 33 Upper Paleolithic sites in the Korean Peninsula, ranging from 35,000 to 15,000 BP, with most dates between 25,000 and 15,000 BP. Many researchers have suggested varying definitions of Tanged points in the past. However, the precise criteria that distinguishes the categories of Tanged points have been neglected. Hence, research has regarded Tanged points as a type of tool composed of a “point part” and a “tang part”, with the latter accomplishing the function of hafting. The tool is made on a long and thin flake or blade, with ridges on the dorsal side of blanks. The lithic raw material should not break easily, such as siliceous shale. Many occupation layers found with Tanged points have obsidian flakes, but only two obsidian Tanged points have been found in the Korean Peninsula. The reason can be found in the attributes of this raw material, and in the proportions of the raw materials in relation to the ratio of flakes, blades, and microblades. Tanged points were eventually replaced by small tools such as arrows in the late Pleistocene.

Use-wear analysis of the stone tools from the Jiahu site in Wuyang county, Henan province

CUI Qilong, ZHANG Juzhong, YANG Yuzhang, SUN Yanan

2017, 36(04):  478-498. 

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Stone tools play an important role in prehistoric life. The function and use of these tools has been one of the issues on which archaeologists focus. Nowadays, studies of stone tools are still concentrated on classification, lacking experimental evidence, especially for ground stone tools. In this paper, use-wear analysis and experimental archaeology were applied to stone tools at the Jiahu site to investigate their functions and use. A total of 41 polished stone tools, including 8 sickles, 7 knives, 7 axes, 6 adzes, 5 chisels and 8 shovels were selected for use-wear analysis at the Jiahu site and studied with a metallurgical microscope. We focus on the characters of polish and the distribution of striations, and then we analyze the possible functions of these stone tools. The results show that stone sickles were mainly used to harvest grass; knives were mainly used to process grass, wood and animal bones; axes were used to work wood, but they also were used to a small extent in processing animal hides and bones; the function of adzes was related to wood working; chisels of different shapes were used to work woods; the main function of shovels was digging. These results provide us more information about the functions of ground stone tools at the Jiahu site. Some artifacts preserved a range of use-wear patterns best matching multiple tasks and thus they had multiple functions. From the perspective of stone tools, this study reveals the production activities and behavioral characteristics of prehistoric humans, and it also provides an important basis for the study of the survival strategies of ancient people.

Taphonomic experiments on the limestone lithics from the Yumidong site in Chongqing

HE Cunding

2017, 36(04):  499-511. 

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Taphonomic experiments regarding the eolith controversy are one important approach in distinguishing the authenticity of stone tools. The newly-discovered Yumidong Paleolithic cave site is located in Wushan County, Chongqing. The site is famous for its limestone lithics. Due to inferior raw materials, a complicated taphonomic history and the lack of further research, the man-made nature of limestone lithics from the site is disputed. In this paper, the author designed a trampling experiment and a rolling experiment to simulate the features seen on the limestone lithics and to observe the acquired damage related to the history of stratigraphic deposition in the Yumidong site. Furthermore, the author also compared excavated specimens with the experimental lithics to provide a reference collection for better affirming the artificial property of limestone lithics. Trampling experiments produce scars closely associated with the texture and shape of the ground surface, relating directly to the compactness and stability of the sediment. These features are less influenced by the raw materials, trampling force, softness or hardness of hooves and other such factors. Rolling experiments showed that the type and velocity of movement was crucially related to the specimen scars that formed. The experimental results demonstrated more microscars caused by friction, and fewer small to mid-length scars caused by collision. There are also a number of differences in the scars distribution, shape, size, and depth between the experimental specimens and the excavated lithics. Pseudo-tools may be formed by mixed acting forces but not ‘by a single type of force. The identification of tools becomes uncertain under the condition of mixed forces. In such cases, the comparative experimental collection is useful. In conclusion, we should treat limestone lithics prudently, neither simply denying them as genuine artefacts nor easily affirming them by subjective conjecture.

A preliminary report on the excavation at Qingshuiyuan Dadong (QSYDD) site in Guizhou

ZHANG Xinglong, BI Zhongrong, LONG Xiaoping, WU Hongmin, WANG Xinjin, CAI Huiyang

2017, 36(04):  512-526. 

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Qingshuiyuan Dadong (QSYDD), discovered in September 1998, is located in Baijin town, Huishui county, Guizhou province. In the past several years, the discovery of numerous stone artifacts, bone tools, charcoal layers, as well as fossil fragments has attracted attention in Paleolithic research. From September to November, 2013, the site was excavated by the staff from a joint archaeological team of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Relics of Guizhou Province. The excavation exposed 4 m2 and 6 m2 in two different areas named A and B. The sediments of Area A are sandy clays of gray, grayish yellow, and grayish black color, with a total thickness of more than 90 cm (without reaching bedrock). 14C dating on charcoal samples from the archaeological layers has yielded an age ca. 14 ka-11 ka BP, which places the QSYDD site in the Terminal Pleistocene, and in the Paleolithic to Neolithic Transition in Southwest China. A total of 2398 stone artifacts and more than 2000 animal fossils and fragments were unearthed from Area A. The lithic assemblage includes cores, retouched tools, debitage, stone hammer, and polished pebbles which show the small Flake Tool Tradition in China. It should be noted that 5 bipolar and bipolar elements were identified which indicate bipolar technique was used by early humans as a flaking method at the site. The principal flaking technique at the site is direct hammer percussion. Lithic raw materials exploited at the site were locally available from adjacent surrounding rocks. Chert is the predominant raw material type used for producing stone artifacts at the site. Most of the stone artifacts are small in size. Scrapers are the dominant retouched tool types, followed by notches. Retouched tools appear to be modified by direct hammer percussion, mostly unifacially retouched on the dorsal surface of blanks. In addition, the excavation and research on the QSYDD site will bear great significance for the study of adaptive behaviors adopted by early humans in the low latitude of Central Guizhou in the Terminal Pleistocene.

Research into faunal remains excavated from the rock shelter area of the Zhongshan site, Tiandong county, Guangxi, South China

CHEN Jun, WANG Wei, LI Dawei, LIAO Wei

2017, 36(04):  527-536. 

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At least 39 species of wild animal remains were unearthed from the rockshelter area of the Zhongshan site, an indication that local people probably resided and hunted in this region. During this occupation, Zhongshan was in an intermontane basin with primarily shrub-meadow and grassy forests and nearby waters. This research is significant because it offers information on human survival behaviors, habitats, and the evolutionary character of the late Paleolithic period in southern China.

The animal remains and its environment of Neolithic Shuangta site in Baicheng of Jilin

TANG Zhuowei, WANG Lixin, DUAN Tianjing, JIN Xudong, ZHANG Meng

2017, 36(04):  537-552. 

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Mainly based on the research method of zooarchaeology, the authors carried out the research on the survival strategies of ancient people living in Shuangta site which is known to be rather early Neolithic site in Northeast China till now. The research shows that the sedimentary condition was dry, the climate was relatively cold about 10,000 BP; according to the results of spore-pollen analysis, during early and middle stages of the first period of Shuangta Culture the vegetation coverage was higher, meadow dominated landscape with higher loading capacity of ecosystem comparing the periods before and after, however in the late stage of the culture the vegetation coverage reduced, the environment changed to semi-desert. Overall, the habitants of the first period of Shuangta Culture took small mammals, fish and mollusks as their main resource of protein. Combining the analysis of the assemblage of stone tools unearthed from the site, we can give the conclusion that the people in the first period of Shuangta Culture selected a sustainable survival strategy of broad-spectrum adaptation mainly with fishing-hunting and collecting economy.

Ethnographic type of Dai in Xishuangbanna: Data from anthropometrics

YU Keli, ZHENG Lianbin, LI Yonglan

2017, 36(04):  553-560. 

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The physical characteristics (head, face, and body) of 402 adults (197 males and 205 females) were investigated in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province in September, 2013 and compared it with North Asians type ethnic groups, South Asians type ethnic groups in China. The results showed that: Typical physical characteristics of Dai both in male and female were submiddle stature. The difference of physical characteristics between Dai in Xishuangbanna and Dai in Dehong were large. The result of Cluster Diagram showed that Dai, Khmu, Wa, Shui, and Miao in a same group in male. In general, the physical Characteristics of Dai were South Asia type ethnic groups.

Analyzing five genetic traits in the Miao Nationality from Guizhou

XIAO Daiming, ZHANG Zhimin, LU Jiaxiu, WU Kaixian, LI Fang, ZHANG Wengang

2017, 36(04):  561-566. 

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This paper investigates gene frequencies of ear lobe type, hair vortex, hand clasping, dimple presence, and handedness of 111 (54 male and 57 female) college students belonging to the Miao nationality in Guizhou. The results showed that the recessive gene frequency of ear lobe type was greater than the dominant, and the distribution of hair vortex in males and females differed significantly (P<0.01). Handedness was also relatively significant among the five genetic traits tested in this population, but other traits had no significant relationship (P>0.05). Gene frequency differences clearly exist between the Guizhou Miao and other nationalities or areas in China.