Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2017, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (02): 165-175.

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Raw material procurement and exploitation at the Wulanmulun site in Ordos, Inner Mongolia

LIU Yang,HOU Yamei, YANG Zemeng, BAO Lei, YANG Jungang, LI Shuang, GAO Lihong   

  • Online:2017-06-15 Published:2017-06-15

Abstract: Stone and rocks were one of the most important kinds of raw material during most of human existence. At the Wulanmulun (WLML) site, the raw materials are mainly quartzite (86%), quartz (12%) and flint (2%). The others including sandstone, gneiss, carnelian and chalcedony are rarely. For ascertain of the sources and availability of the raw materials, the authors surveyed the gravel layer of the bedrock near the site. The research result shows that the ancient people mainly chose the quartzite with size of 40-70mm from the gravel layer of the bedrock at distance of 2 km far away of site and brought them back to make artifacts. In this procedure the people had made good consideration on pebble size and rock quality.

Key words: Wulanmulun site; Raw material; Sources; Availability