Abstract: This paper reports a preliminary study on technological process of making shell ornaments that were discovered from Shizitan, a microblade-industry Palaeolithic site complex in southwestern Shanxi, dated to 25000-10000 BP. Five finished shell ornaments and 3 by-products were identified from cultural layers at different locations of the sites. Based on perforating techniques, these shell ornaments are classified into "drilled-perforation" type and "grounding-peroration" type. Subsequently three methods of manufacturing processes are identified. The perforations seem to be larger in earlier period than in later period, reflecting the plausible changes of drilling techniques and possible different function over time. Also changes in morphological shapes of shell artifacts from flaked edges to polished edges were possibly in coincidence with changes in use of drilling tools that were employed by flaked tools in the early period and by microblade tools in the late period, possibly suggesting a specialization of ornament production.

Key words: the Shizitan Site; Shell ornaments; Technological process