Abstract: The grooved-shaped stone hammers discovered at Jiyanyao site in Hekou village, Luonan County, Shaanxi Province, have made scholars puzzled about the cultural character of this site. To solve this problem, authors have conducted a series of archaeological surveys and laboratory analyses, finding that the hammers are actually not Paleolithic remains, but possible the ancient tools for mining turquoise. The grindstones and stone balls unearthed from the site might constitute a tool kit for processing stone hammers. By analyzing these stone hammers through typology, authors have divided them into two types, namely grooved-shaped hammers(Type A) and non-grooved-shaped hammers(Type B). It is likely that the groove was specially made for binding the stone hammer to the wooden handle tightly. The comparison of domestic and international stone hammers shows that this kind of hammers has generally been discovered in the surrounding area of ancient mines during the Bronze Age. Therefore, this kind of hammers should be a mining tool, and can be direct evidence for determining the date of mining sites. In general, the stone hammers from Jiyanyao site should belong to the Bronze Age. Compared with stone hammers from other sites, Jiyanyao stone hammers are smaller, more exquisite, and have a narrow and long shape. It is considered that this kind of specialty is relevant to the character of the turquoise lode.

Key words: Jiyanyao site; Turquoise minerals; Grooved-shaped stone hammer; Mining tools; Bronze Age