Abstract: During July to August 2012, a team from Sichuan University, Qinghai Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology, and Chengdu Institute of Archeology made an archaeological investigation along the upper Tongtian River valley, and found 14 sites with microblade products. This paper is to study the microblade cores collected in the archaeological investigation and to discuss its lithic technology among Deng’equ valley in Zhiduo county. The raw materials used in these sites include at least eight broad classes including siliceous rocks, dolomite, hornfels, schist, limestone, microcrystalline limestone, quartz rough rock, tuff lava. Five types of cryptocrystalline silicates accounted for the majority. The main source of raw material are from river banks of Tongtian River. Most of the microblade cores may be classified as wedge-shaped. The majority of performs are flakes, frequently with some forms of platform and flute rejuvenation. The method of retouching microblade cores includes bifacial and unificial retouch. The microblade core technique used in this area is consistent with the Yangyuan and Layihai techniques, with regard to perform preparation, platform production, rejuvenation and microblade detachment.

Key words: South Qinghai Plateau; Deng’equ; Microblade; Wedge-shaped microblade core