本项研究通过对陕西洛南张豁口遗址发现的淀粉粒进行分析，聚焦旧石器时代早期人类如何利用植物性食物资源。张豁口遗址出土的阿舍利工业产品上保存了微量的淀粉粒，尽管数量较低，但却为研究早期人类利用植物性资源提供了宝贵的证据，为解读人类早期历史提供了重要线索。此外，本研究深入探讨了早期人类对根茎类植物挖掘、采集和食用行为的可能性，指出根茎类植物不仅为早期人类提供了重要的营养价值，在人类饮食结构中占据核心地位，而且对于理解旧石器时代早期石制品使用方式、环境适应策略、古人类认知水平的演变等问题也具有重要意义。

In this study, we examine the functional attributes of Acheulean tools recovered from Zhanghuokou in the Luonan Basin, Shaanxi, China, through an analysis of plant residues, particularly starch granules. In the Paleolithic era, the handaxe was a ubiquitous implement in daily activities. Despite extensive research on handaxes, their precise functions and applications remain largely unresolved. The Luonan Basin is an essential Paleolithic site where the abundance of archaeological finds offers significant objects for study. This research aims to elucidate the specific utility of these Acheulean tools by employing starch granule analysis techniques, thereby contributing to our understanding of Paleolithic human survival strategies and everyday life.

The study’s objective is to determine the particular functions of Acheulean implements unearthed in Zhanghuokou through starch granule analysis, and to elucidate their roles in the lives of Paleolithic humans. For this research, the process involved sample collection, starch granule extraction, and microscopic observation and identification. Initially, we gathered samples from the tool surfaces at the Zhanghuokou site and chemically extracted the starch granules. Subsequently, through microscopy, the starch granules were categorized and analyzed. The interpretation of these results allows us to deduce the specific applications of handaxes, further elucidating their role in Paleolithic human life.

The study revealed a significant presence of starch particles on the handaxe surfaces, suggesting their potential use in digging activities. This finding contributes novel evidence on how these tools were utilized in daily activities by Paleolithic humans. Moreover, the diverse terrain and abundant faunal and floral resources in the Luonan region likely provided various survival strategies for its inhabitants, influencing both the strategic use and functional diversity of the handaxes. Through starch identification and analysis, we not only gain insights into the dietary habits of early humans but also gather evidence on how ancient populations exploited their local environments and developed adaptive strategies.

Looking to the future, this research will serve as a pivotal reference for understanding the evolution of ancient hominin technological and cultural traditions as well as their environmental adaptation strategies. The integration of starch granule analysis within archaeological research promises to uncover further details regarding ancient human tool function and use. Subsequent studies may expand the scope of starch granule analysis application, integrating it with additional archaeological methods to further investigate ancient human survival strategies, technological practices, and cultural traditions. Moreover, the findings offer historical insights that are relevant to modern human concepts of sustainable resource use, providing valuable reference for current ecological conservation and resource management. It is anticipated that ongoing research and exploration will afford a more comprehensive understanding of human evolutionary processes, thereby furnishing valuable insights for future developments.