人类学学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (03): 466-476.doi: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0042cstr: 32091.14.j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0042

• • 上一篇    下一篇

广西娅怀洞遗址新发现赭石的初步研究

李大伟1(), 周广超1, 李凡1, 崔景怡1, 徐秀岚1, 谢光茂2, 贾真秀3, 李浩3()   

  1. 1.广西民族大学,中国南方和东南亚科技考古与文物保护研究中心,南宁 530006
    2.广西文物保护与考古研究所,南宁 530023
    3.中国科学院青藏高原研究所古生态与人类适应团队,北京 100101
  • 收稿日期:2024-10-29 修回日期:2025-04-27 出版日期:2025-06-15 发布日期:2025-06-15
  • 通讯作者: 李浩,研究员,主要从事旧石器时代考古研究。E-mail: lihao@itpcas.ac.cn
  • 作者简介:李大伟,教授,主要从事旧石器时代考古研究。E-mail: dwei.li@163.com
  • 基金资助:
    国家社会科学基金重大项目(22&ZD246)

A preliminary study of the newly found ochres at the Yahuai Cave site, Guangxi

LI Dawei1(), ZHOU Guangchao1, LI Fan1, CUI Jingyi1, XU Xiulan1, XIE Guangmao2, JIA Zhenxiu3, LI Hao3()   

  1. 1. Guangxi Minzu University, Southern China and Southeast Asian Center for Archaeometry and Cultural Conservation, Nanning 530006
    2. Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology, Nanning 530023
    3. Alpine Paleoecology and Human Adaptation Group, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
  • Received:2024-10-29 Revised:2025-04-27 Online:2025-06-15 Published:2025-06-15

摘要:

赭石的使用是早期人类行为现代性的一个重要体现,彰显了早期人类认知能力的进步及对艺术和精神世界的追求。本文对广西娅怀洞遗址新近整理发现的史前时期赭石标本开展了系统研究,拉曼光谱和能谱分析结果显示,娅怀洞赭石标本的主要矿物成分为赤铁矿。研究识别出72件有明确加工痕迹的赭石,痕迹类型包括研磨、刮削、敲击等,展示出复杂多样的赭石原料加工利用行为。此外,还发现20件与加工和利用赭石密切相关的配套石制品类型,其中研磨棒和磨盘主要用来制作赭石粉末;而穿孔石器孔壁上沾染的大量赭石残留物显示,其很可能与赭石的用途有关。娅怀洞遗址赭石标本的发现与研究,进一步深化了我们对东亚地区史前人类加工与利用赭石行为的理解和认识。

关键词: 广西, 娅怀洞遗址, 赭石, 赤铁矿, 史前人类行为

Abstract:

The use of ochre has often been regarded as an important indicator of “modern human behavior” or “behavioral modernity”, reflecting the development of cognitive abilities and the pursuit of art and spirituality during human evolution. In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis of the newly discovered ochre samples from the prehistoric Yahuai Cave site in Guangxi. To better understand the processing and utilization strategies of ochres at Yahuai Cave, this study focuses on a large collection of ochres found in the disturbed layers of the site. It is worth noting that these ochres may originally have come from the Paleolithic layers, which have been disturbed due to recent human activities. Such a phenomenon is commonly documented in cave sites in Guangxi. Raman Spectroscopy and EDX (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) analyses show that haematite is the main mineral component of ochres at the Yahuai Cave site. A total of 72 specimens were identified with traces of grinding, scraping, and knapping, indicating complex and diverse behaviors in the use of ochres. Grinding was the primary processing method for producing ochre powder at the Yahuai Cave. The grinding surfaces usually exhibit two distinct types of traces. One is characterized by either parallel or intersecting marks on one or multiple surfaces, caused by repeated grinding against hard stones, such as grinding slabs; the other is characterized by smooth and polished surfaces, displaying a granular texture under metallographic microscopy. These traces have been suggested to be related to hide - processing activities. Scraping was another commonly used method for producing ochre powder. Hard stone tools with sharp edges were used to extract powder, leaving parallel scraped grooves. Direct percussion with hard hammers was also applied to obtain ochre flakes or fragments, and remarkable flake scars or percussion points were often retained on them. The detached ochre flakes or fragments could then be further processed through grinding or scraping to produce powder. In addition, 20 specimens directly associated with ochre processing and utilization were identified, among which grinding stones were used to obtain ochre powders. Moreover, ochre residues observed on the inner hole of perforated stone tools likely indicate the potential functions of ochres at the Yahuai Cave site. The Yahuai Cave is an important prehistorical site in China, with the largest quantity of ochre discovered so far, the most complex processing techniques, and potential evidence for the use of ochre. These findings provide crucial evidence for a comprehensive understanding of prehistoric cultural practices and human behaviors in East Asia.

Key words: Guangxi, Yahuai Cave site, ochre, haematite, prehistoric human behavior

中图分类号: