Table of Content

15 June 2017, Volume 36 Issue 02

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Field investigation report of the Paleolithic sites discovered in the fourth terraces of the Danjiangkou Reservoir Region

LI Hao, LI Chaorong, Kathleen KUMAN, ZHOU Xingming, WANG Gang

2017, 36(02):  145-153. 

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The Danjiangkou Reservoir Region (DRR) has currently been revealed as another important handaxe-bearing region in China, along with the well-known regions of Dingcun, Luonan and Bose. More than 100 Paleolithic open-air sites were discovered under the systematic investigations of the last two decades. Among them, over 30 sites were excavated, which have provided materials for studying the Acheulean technocomplex in DRR. As an archaeological project to co-operate with the construction of the national South-to-North Water Transfer Project, these sites were mainly distributed in areas that would be submerged after building of the dam, namely, the third and second terraces of the Han River in DRR. However, the Yunxian hominid site on terrace four indicates that high terraces in DRR contain even older sites. For further exploration of the earliest appearance of the Acheulean in DRR and its pattern of origin, we conducted a systematic field investigation in DRR focusing on the higher elevation terraces. Twenty-four new Paleolithic open-air sites have been found, with 273 artifacts collected from them. Regarding typologies, there are 45 (16.5%) cores and 53 (19.4%) flakes. We further classify the cores into six sub-types, including four casual cores, 20 chopper cores, eight discoidal cores, nine polyhedral cores, one opposed platform core and two irregular cores. Flaking by-products include chunks (n=124, 45.4%), flake fragments (n=18, 6.6%) and split flakes (n=6, 2.2%). In addition, there are 27 (9.9%) formal tools which reflect retouching or shaping technology. Both light-duty and heavy-duty tools were found, for instance, six small-sized scrapers and four largesized choppers. Importantly, 10 handaxes, six picks and one knife, which possess Acheulean technological characteristics, were also identified from the assemblage. Overall, the analysis of artifacts shows that the raw material usage, along with the flaking and retouching technologies of the DRR hominids, are diverse in character. The new findings reported here strongly demonstrate the potential of the DRR for future research.

A preliminary report on the 2013 excavation of the Huaishuping Paleolithic site in Luonan Basin, Shaanxi Province

YU Qingyao, WANG Shejiang, SHEN Chen, LU Huayu, COSGROVE Richard, ZHANG Xiaobing, ZHANG Hongyan, ZHANG Wenchao, WEI Ming, WANG Xiaoyong, LIU Quanyu, SUN Xuefeng, XING Luda, XIA Wenting

2017, 36(02):  154-164. 

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The Huaishuping site, found in 1999, is located on the fourth terrace of the South Luohe River in the Luonan Basin, Shaanxi Province. In 2013, it was excavated by a joint archaeological team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, the Shaanxi Province Institute of Archaeology, Nanjing University, and the Museum of Luonan County. The excavation exposed a total area of 56m2, yielding 830 stone artifacts. The lithic assemblage includes manuports (n=19; 2.29％ ), cores (n=66; 7.95%), flakes (n=333; 40.12%), chunks (n=347; 41.81%), chips (n=23; 2.77%), and retouched tools (n=42; 5.06%) such as choppers (n=3), hand-axes (n=2), and scrapers(n=37). The general features of the lithic artifacts are summarized as follows: (i) Stone artifacts from the site were made of local raw materials which come from the cobbles/pebbles of the river deposits which are mainly quartz and quartzite, although greywacke and fine sandstone are also occasionally used; (ii) Most stone artifacts are small (<50mm) and medium (50~100mm) in size, but finely retouched tools such as hand-axes, are large in size; (iii) The principle knapping method is direct hammer percussion, along with the bipolar method and the anvil-chipping method; (iv) The tools are mainly retouched flakes. Cores, pebbles and chunks are also occasionally used as blanks. Most tools are small (<50mm) or medium (50~100mm) in size, and the Acheulian-type large cutting tools (LCTs) such as handaxes are finely retouched. OSL chronological analysis and the comparison of geological profiles show that the date of the site is between 90 to 13ka, and the main layers which contained the lithic artifacts are about 90-80ka.

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

2017, 36(02):  165-175. 

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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.

The stone artifacts from the Nanshan locality, Liaoning Province

SHI Jing, CHEN Quanjia, LI Xia, WANG Xiaoyang, WEI Haibo

2017, 36(02):  176-179. 

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The Nanshan locality is located at Wudaohezi Village of Huanren County in Liaoning Province. 60 lithic artifacts were collected from the locality and 4 stratigraphic layers were identified, with the total thickness of nearly 10m. Some artifacts were unearthed from the second layer. The assemblage includes cores, flakes, tools and debris. Hornfels and quartz sandstone are the predominant raw materials, followed by quartzite and slate. Hard hammer percussion is the dominant technique for detaching flakes, and retouched tools are mainly manufactured on flakes. The blades and leafed point found in the locality are rare in this area.

A preliminary report on the 2014 excavation at taoshan site in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China

YUE Jianping, HOU Yamei, YANG Shixia, CHANG Yang, ZHANG Wei, LI Youqian, HAO Huaidong, WANG Xuedong, QIU Limin

2017, 36(02):  180-192. 

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The Taoshan Site (46°54.765’N, 128°12.643’E) is located in Taoshan village, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. The site is situated on the southern slope of Taoshan hill, approximately 500m west of the Hulan River, and 241m high in altitude. It was discovered in 2011, and excavated in 2013 and 2014 by a joint team guided by Prof. Hou Yamei from IVPP. The excavation exposed an area of 36m2 with three prehistoric layers. A total of 1943 stone artifacts, 12 pottery shards, 2 ornaments and 1 nut shell were uncovered during the 2014 field season. The stone artifacts include cores, flakes, microblades, crested blades, ski spalls, retouched tools, manuports and fragments. In addition, the cultural layers were well dated by the optically stimulated luminescence and the AMS14C dating methods. Only 248 stone artifacts were unearthed from Layer 4. High-quality tuff is the predominant raw material. Soft-hammer direct percussion was applied widely, technologically. The presence of microblades and related characteristic products indicates that pressure flaking was also applied. Layer 3 is the main cultural layer, and the archaeological remains include 1552 lithic artifacts and 23 ceramic shards. Raw materials derive from local sources. Tuff dominates, basalt and rhyolite come second, and chert, quartz sandstone, agate, quartz, granite and shale are in small numbers. The lithic assemblage is dominated by flakes and fragments, mainly produced by hard-hammer direct percussion. Pressure-flaked debitage is also used to remove microblades. Besides scrapers and denticulates, stone axes and adzes emerged as important tool types. In addition, ceramic technology started to appear. The assemblage shows characteristics of the transitional period between Late Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic, documenting the evolution of cultural changes in Northeast China and the dispersal, migration and communication of hunter-gatherers in northeastern Asia and North America. In addition, very limited archaeological remains are excavated from Layer 2, including 143 stone artifacts, 2 pottery shards, 2 ornaments and 1 nut shell.

Research on Neolithic human skeletons from the Mopanshan site, Yuanmou county

ZHOU Yawei, ZHAO Dongyue, WANG Yanjie, KANG Lihong

2017, 36(02):  216-226. 

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The Mopanshan site is in a Neolithic settlement in the Yuanmou basin, Yunnan Province. Based on physical anthropology researches of six Neolithic human skeletons exhumed from the site, the following conclusions can be made. Skull shape and physical characteristics of Mopan group are described as mesocranial, orthocephaly, broad forehead type, euryene, chamaerrhine, and mesoconch with relatively high degree of facial flatness. This Mopanshan group belongs to the Mongolian type, with close similarities to the South Asian, North Asian and Northeast Asian types. Compared to recent Mongolian groups, the Mopanshan is most closely related to the Guangxi Zhuang nationality group. Compared to other Neolithic groups, these finds are similar to the Zengpiyan and Liyudun groups that represent the ancient South China type.

Uygur ethnic composition and evolution based on incidences of typical Mongoloid physical characteristics

WANG Bin, YANG Shengmin

2017, 36(02):  227-235. 

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By exploring the origin, composition, physical characteristics and evolution of the Uygur nationality we can better reveal historical and cultural changes of this ethnic group, which will benefit the protection and development of this nation. Archaeological anthropology, especially results of molecular archaeology, show that the ancient Xinjiang residents are not from a single ethnic origin but instead include European and Mongolian components. Polymorphisms in physical characteristics and genetic traits of modern Xinjiang residents, especially the difference in Uygurs of different regions is undoubtedly closely related to the ancient complex racial background of this group. Modern Uygur mostly have physical characteristics of Mongolian ethnicity, which shows that the modern Uygur ethnic origin is mainly from Mongolia. Different incidences of Mongolian physical characteristics throughout the Uygur living in different regions of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region including gradient changes trending from east to west embody indicate how the infiltration and fusion of Mongolian traits developed in the Uygur.

Somatotype study of the Tunguska living in China

HU Rong, WEN Youfeng, WANG Xianming, YANG Yang, LIU Suwei

2017, 36(02):  236-247. 

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Somatotype analysis involves the description about body shape and composition, which can affect, for example, physical function, sport capabilities, mental emotions, and career choice. Additionally somatotype can help in evaluating an individual’s growth and development, leading them to healthy growth. There have always been debates about the origin, migration, and kinship of the Tunguska. This paper uses the Heath-Carter somatotype method for the Liaoning Manchu, Heilongjiang Manchu, Oroqen, Ewenki, and Hezhen adults (both males and females) who were chosen randomly from the autonomous regions of Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia. This study discusses these somatotype characteristics of the Tunguska and analyzes the kinship of this group in China.

Race analysis based on physical characteristics of the Han from South China

LI Yonglan, ZHENG Lianbin, YU Keli

2017, 36(02):  248-259. 

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We measured the standing height, body weight and 16 other anthropometric measrements of 15154 Han adult people (7340 males, 7814 females) from South China between 2009 and 2012, and then calculated 12 items of indices including body mass index (BMI). By comparing head-face characteristics of this Han ethnic group with ones of three different types of Mongoloid race (North Asian, South Asian and East Asian types), we get the following results. The head-face characteristics of the southern Han ethnicity were between North Asian and South Asian ethnic groups. Males of the southern Han ethnicity were more similar to the North Asian type, whereas females of the southern Han ethnicity resembled the South Asian type. Compared with East Asian types, males from South China had smaller head length, breadth, height and circumference, and a narrower face, while Han females of South China had smaller head length, breadth and circumference, smaller jaw breadth, but a larger head height and narrower face. Cluster analysis results show a significant discrepancy between East Asian types and Han ethnicity from South China in body features. Physical characteristics of Han males in South China were similar to North Asian ethnic group types. Han females in South China fit between North Asian and South Asian ethnic groups. Nevertheless, there were distinctive physical characteristics in the Han ethnicity from South China.

Change pattern with age and body composition among adult women of Guangxi minorities

ZHOU Xuan，YU Hongrong，LI Yan，ZHOU Lining，GONG Jichun，GONG Jiangu，XU Ling，LIU Peng，DENG Qiongying

2017, 36(02):  260-267. 

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This study analysed the body composition data of 860 female participants of Guangxi minorities including 200 Maonan, 200 Mulam, 244 Hmong and 216 Yao. In comparing body compositions of these four minorities, we found that Hmong had the highest fat mass while Mulam had the lowest; and that Maonan had the highest muscle mass while Hmong had the least, all indicative of statistical significant differences between groups (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in body mass index (Ibm ) and body fat percentage (Pbf ), as well as waist-hip radio(Rwh) among the four groups. Hmong women had the highest percentage of obesity according to BMI or BF% or WHR, with statistically significant differences between the Hmong and other minorities (P<0.05). Fat mass of women in these four groups increased with age, normally reaching a peak by ages 50-54, after which fat mass decreased. Fat-free mass decreased gradually with age. Comparing with the other minorities, the muscle mass of the Maonan decreased with age, and there were statistical differences in body composition between different age groups (P<0.05). Clearly, we have shown that there are ethnic differences in body composition, with Hmong women considered the most unhealthy with excessive fat mass, and lower muscle and bone mass. Our study indicates that all women in the four minority groups may be more prone to sarcopenic obesity and osteoporosis with age.

A study of the physical characteristics of the Bajia and Kongge peoples in China

ZHANG Xinghua, YANG Yajun, WANG Zishan, ZHENG Lianbin

2017, 36(02):  268-279. 

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The Bajia and Kongge belong to unrecognized ethnic groups in China. Eighty-six anthropological characteristics were assessed in 158 Bajia adults (61 males and 97 females) and 71 Kongge adults (46 males and 25 females) living in Xishuangbanna City, Yunnan Province. The results of this research are as follows. The frequency of upper eyelid eyefold of the Bajia is 95.08% (male) and 98.97% (female), and of the Kongge is 80.43% (male) and 100% (female). The frequency of the Mongoloid fold in the Bajia is 18.03% (male) and 29.90% (female), whereas in the Kongge values are 32.61% (male) and 64% (female). Opening heights of eye slits in the Bajia and Kongge are medium, with the external angle higher than the internal angle. Nasal root height is medium in Bajia and Kongge females, but higher in Kongge males. Straight nose bridges characterize both the Bajia and Kongge. Cheekbones of the Bajia are not prominent. The nose breadth and interocular breadth are nearly equal length in the Bajia and Kongge. Their ear lobe types are round.Lip thickness is thin, with the upper lip skin height mostly medium. Eye color of the Bajia is mostly brown, whereas the Kongge is black. Adults of the Bajia and Kongge are hypsicephalic and tapeinocephalic type, mesorrhiny, mesatiskelic, with broad shoulder breadth and short stature. Bajia adults have characteristics of brachycephaly, long trunk and broad chest circumference. Kongge adults have a medium chest circumference and narrow distance between iliac crests. Cluster analysis shows that the physical characteristics of the Bajia and Kongge belong to the southern ethnic groups.

Preliminary exploitation on human lifestyles during Xiaoheyan Culture Period: A case study of the Jiangjialiang site

LIU Xiaodi, WANG Tingting, WEI Dong, HU Yaowu

2017, 36(02):  280-288. 

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For long time, it has been generally believed that the decrease of millet agriculture during the Xiaoheyan Culture Period led to cultural declination compared to that during the Hongshan Culture Period. The carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human bones from the Jiangjialiang site, Yangyuan, Hebei, dated to early stage of Xiaoheyan Culture, was undertaken in this paper. The averageδ13C and δ15N values of human collagen are -7.0±0.3‰(n=25) and 8.8±0.4‰(n=25) respectively, suggesting that millet-based foods, including millets and milletsconsuming animals, were dominant in human diets. The difference of δ13C values between the genders indicates that the females relied on more gathering. It is notable to see that millet agriculture during the early Xiaoheyan Period was more developed than that during the Hongshan Culture Period. Thus, the real reason to account for the cultural decline of Xiaoheyan Culture still needs to be considered.