Abstract: This paper introduces the purpose, methods, processes and results of experimental replication of stone tools from the Taosi site. Before the experiment, a few requirements were needed in order to make the experimental results fit as closely to the original situation. First, raw materials used in the experiment were collected around Taosi. Second, the methods used in the experiment conformed to the hypothesized social development level. Third, the experiment used standard lithics procedures. Fourth, the experimental process was recorded in detail, including size and weight of the material before and after each step. The production level in this experiment was regarded as the lowest among craftsmen of the Taosi culture because the flintknapper in this experiment had no experience in producing stone tools. The experiment replicated 10 ground stone tools, including one knife, one axe, four adzes, three wedges and one chisel. Although the experiment also produced six spear-shaped blanks and three decorations, this paper focuses on replicated ground stone tools. In the experiment, each tool was replicated according to the following procedure: raw material and shape selection; flaking; pecking; grinding; drilling; polishing”. During the experiment, various techniques were considered, including time cost during the process; tools required for each technique; and shape result from using each technique. The experiment showed that the procedures to make ground stone tools were easy but time consuming because the inexperienced flintknapper in this experiment could succeed in making all the ground stone tools. We noted that not every technique was required in each replication due to raw materials shape and characteristics, and the shape of the target tool form. We conclude that the techniques for making ground stone tools were simple and easy to operate.

Key words: Taosi site; Lithics; Replication; Ground stone tools; Production techniques