人类学学报 ›› 2008, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (01): 79-90.

• 人类学学报 • 上一篇    下一篇

量化单元在马鞍山遗址动物骨骼研究中的运用

张乐;Christopher J.Norton;张双权;高星   

  • 出版日期:2008-03-15 发布日期:2008-03-15

Applications of quantitative units in Zooarchaeology to the Maanshan faunal assemblage

ZHANG Yue, Christopher J. NORTON, ZHANG Shuangquan, GAO Xing   

  • Online:2008-03-15 Published:2008-03-15

摘要: 深入理解动物考古学研究中应用的量化单元对于反映遗址动物种属的多样性和统计骨骼部位出现数量有着极其重要的作用。本文主要通过各种量化单元在马鞍山遗址出土动物骨骼研究案例中的应用,并辅助以其它国内外研究的介绍,深入阐释了这些单元的使用方法和注意事项,旨在让读者更加清楚地知道怎样针对具体情况选择适合应用的量化单元。

关键词: 可鉴定标本数;最小个体数;最小骨骼部位数;最小骨骼单元数;马鞍山遗址

Abstract: This manuscript reviews the various quantitative elements in zooarchaeology, and develops a firm understanding of how and when to employ different numerical classifiers by their applications to the Ma’anshan faunal assemblage.
The MNI is assigned to two distinct parts of the Ma’anshan deposit in order to identify quantitative differences in the archaeofauna because in previous research it was shown that stone artifacts and mammalian fossils in strata 7-8 were much larger than those in strata 3-6. There are 11 kinds of macromammalian bones found in the lower part, here the MNI is 32 with 18 ( about 56.25%) representing large animals ( mainly Rhinoceros sinensis, Bubalus sp. and Stegodon orientalis) . In the upper part, 16 kinds of macromammals belonging to 50 individuals, of which 19 ( about 38% ) are mediumsized ungulatesCervus unicolor. Therefore, it is assumed that in the early stage Ma’anshan hominids preyed on largesized game animals, while in the late stage they mainly hunted mediumsized ones.
The MNE, MAU, MAU% are applied to Class II animal bones of the upper strata to determine their relative skeletal part abundance ( figures 8 and 9) . From the skeletal element profile and data of deer bone density, meat and marrow return, and ethnoarchaeological observations, it is assumed that Maanshan hominids in the late stage tended to transport carcasses of class II animals selectively, taking only heads and legs ( with bone cavities containing much marrow ) to the base camp, while abandoning vertebrae, ribs and pelves with little marrow at the kill site. Scapulae, metapodials and podials were also taken to the camp as they were parts attached to the upper limbs.

Key words: NISP; MNI; MNE; MAU; Maanshan site