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    15 September 2017, Volume 36 Issue 03
    Excavation of the Locality 1 of Damei site in Bose Basin, South China
    CHEN Xiaoying,XIE Guangmao,LIN Qiang
    2017, 36(03):  289-303. 
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    Since 1973, about 15 of over 120 Paleolithic sites or localities have been excavated in Bose (Baise) basin, Guangxi, South China. Nearly all of them are located on the high terrace (terrace 4) in the Youjiang River valley. In 2005, a rescue excavation of the Damei site was conducted due to construction within the capital city. This site, covering 0.5km2, includes three localities with the Locality 1 on terrace 2, the Locality 2 on terrace 3 and the Locality 3 on terrace 4. The excavated area is 4000 m2. the In Locality 2, a large stone workshop and traces of fire place were discovered, and more than 10000 stone artifacts were unearthed. In the Locality 3, a large quantity of stone artifacts was also excavated. Here we report on the excavation of the Locality 1 on terrace 2. In the Locality 1, there are 1100 m2 exposed,and 314 stone artifacts were unearthed, including stone hammers, cores, flakes and retouched tools. Raw materials for tool making are cobbles, mainly of quartzite. Direct percussion is the main method for detaching flakes and retouching tools. Most tools were made on cobbles and flaked unifacially. Types include choppers, scrapers, picks and rare points, with scrapers predominating. Technologically and typologically, the stone artifacts from Locality 1 are similar to those of those broadly distributed on terrace 4 in the basin. However, the assemblage in Locality 1 lacks handaxes and cleavers and belongs to the typical pebble tool tradition in Southern China. Comparison of the stone artifacts shows that the under culture layer stone artifacts are larger;stone artifact abrasion is more pronounced; and the number of choppers is significantly increased. There may be two different cultural periods present. Based on stratigraphical comparison, geomorphological observation, and lithic assemblage analysis, the age of Locality 1 is estimated to the Upper Paleolithic.
    Lithic materials from 1985 excavation in Laoya Late Paleolithic site: Typology and technology
    GUAN Ying, CAI Huiyang, WANG Xinjin, XU Chunhua, WEI Yi, ZHOU Zhenyu, GAO Xing
    2017, 36(03):  304-317. 
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    During the last stage of the Last Glacial period, Paleolithic cultures across the world dramatically changed in terms of population size, technological development, social structure building, etc. In China, late Paleolithic culture is unique compared with Europe, West Asia, North America, Oceania, and Africa. A small-flake-tool technological complex dominated this period in most parts of North and Southwest China. Laoya cave site is a typical late Paleolithic cave site in Yun-Gui plateau, which was systematically excavated in 1985 and 2013. This paper focuses on the typological and technological study of the lithic materials unearthed in the 1985 excavation and surface collected in 1983 and 1984. We discuss the low mobility subsistence pattern of the ancient local occupants. In the lithic assemblage, chunks and debris comprise 76.88%, followed by retouched tools (10.71%). Flakes count for 8.83% and the cores 3.1%. Due to the field methods in the 1980s, some small chunks and small debris might not have been noticed or collected, and so the proportion of chunks and debris might be higher. In the flake assemblage, type VI flakes (without cortex on the platform and dorsal face) are the main type, possibly used as cutting tools or as blanks for retouched tools. In the formal tool assemblage, scrapers are the main type and occur in regular, well modified shapes. The main raw materials for the entire assemblage are chert and limestone. Some quartz and sandstone are also utilized but in limited quantities. Based on the flake scar attributes and on the excavated hammer stones, we suggest that hard hammer stone percussion is the primary flaking technique, although some small volume specimens show long, shallow scars suggestive of soft-hammer flaking. In the 2013 excavation, several antlers were discovered, which had use-wear on the tips. Therefore, soft hammer percussion may have been applied by the Laoya cave occupants. Volume measurements (based on length, width, and thickness) and weight indicate that, although there are multiple anthropogenic layers deposited in the cave from 37,060 to 21,000 Cal yr BP, the knapping strategies did not change, and thus lithic morphology did not change during these 16000 years. Based on these lithic characteristics and on the local natural environment, we proposed a low mobility subsistence strategy for the ancient local occupants. The caves in limestone bedrocks served as residences for ancient humans in the mountain areas of Guizhou, and perhaps in all the mountain areas in Yun-Gui Plateau. These cave residences were stable and clearly suitable for long-term occupations, unless large-scale natural tragedies occurred. As a result, multiple living floors from different time periods are preserved in the cave. Good raw materials such as chert and fine limestone were available locally, providing the physical conditions for humans to make lithic artifacts. Long distance exchange was not necessary under such circumstances and low mobility can be identified in the human behavior.
    A replication study of denticulates from the Banjingzi site, Nihewan Basin
    MA Dongdong, ZHAO Hailong, ZHENG Xuefang, PEI Shuwen
    2017, 36(03):  318-330. 
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    The denticulate is one of the most important retouched tool types for the Paleolithic in China. However, the relatively indeterminate classification of the category results in the denticulate receiving less attention in Paleolithic research. Banjingzi site is an important early Late Pleistocene Paleolithic site in the Nihewan basin, North China. The large number of excavated denticulates (accounting for 9% of the retouched tools) makes the site most peculiar in the Paleolithic of the Nihewan basin, and even in north China. Denticulates, are known at the Donggutuo site in the Nihewan since the Early Pleistocene. Those excavated from the Banjingzi site may imply some special adaptive behaviors adopted here by early hominins during early Late Pleistocene. Through stone artifact replication, the authors consider that there are at least two retouch techniques to create denticulates, one using a small pebble hammerstone and a second using a pointed hammerstone. The pointed hammerstone modification technique, however, is the main retouching technique for denticulate fabrication in the Banjingzi site. Another approach of our replication study is to reconstruct the processes of denticulate manufacture, which has shown that it is a relatively stable fabrication procedure. As a result, the current study should bring attention to the denticulate in Paleolithic research in China. Finally, we also combine sample observation with the experimental replications for this current paper.
    Quantitative analysis in lithic study: Comparison of assemblages
    LIU Jiying, HUANG Yongliang, CHEN Hong
    2017, 36(03):  331-343. 
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    Comparing assemblages is a key to lithic analysis. From the history perspective, the interpretation of lithic assemblage may be outlined two aspects:1)a lithic assemblage is sets of objects and features generally from a site or a layer, we might get the meaning of technology, culture, or even function from the analysis of presence or absence of its material or composition; 2)lithic assemblage was formed in a complex process, therefore, besides concerning similarity and difference between the assemblages, factors like the boundary of the assemblage and the life cycle of artifacts should also be taken into consideration. Nowadays, under the circumstance of interdiscipline, with the objective advantages in multivariate comparative study, quantitative analysis broadens the horizon of comparing assemblages. The method includes graphical method and statistics. However, such kind of practice is relatively insufficient in China. The advantages of graphical method are those could present complex data multidimensionally and simultaneously and also contribute to increase the readability. It chiefly includes Cumulative Graph/Curves, Clustered Histogram/Accumulative Histogram, Snowflake Diagram and Radar Graph. The characteristic of the latter two is that they could reduce the variates with classification, and obtain more information. Nevertheless, it is better to combine the methods like use-wear analysis and residue analysis in classification to improve the accuracy of the information. In statistics, assemblage diversity has been paid close attention by researchers all the time, including the aspects of richness, evenness and heterogeneity. The available methods could be regression method, simulation method, Shannon-Weaver information statistic H, Pielou statistic J and so on. Considering the sample effect, researchers now prefer nonparametric estimators like Jackknife Technique, Bootstrap, Rarefaction (Interpolation) and Extrapolation. With the correlation and confidential intervals given by these methods, researchers may estimate the “true” size of assemblage when the sample size is limited but the variants are in dependency. The general procedure of quantitative analysis is confirming the research target, and then extracting variate, examining the correlation, after that choosing the method, finally returning to qualitative analysis. Although quantitative analysis provides an opportunity for comparing assemblages, it still lacks unification and standards. Therefore, when these methods are put to use, it should be placed into the archaeology frame with cautious consideration. In a word, in spite of the objectivity of artifacts assemblage comparison that quantitative analysis could add, this method should still be regarded as a supplementary method, to be more precisely, a supplement to qualitative analysis.
    A study of the foot-binding phenomenon of Qing Dynasty females in Shandong Province
    ZHAO Yongsheng, GUO Lin, HAO Daohua, LI Baolei, ZENG Wen
    2017, 36(03):  344-358. 
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    In the excavation of Mushan reservoir ruins in Anqiu County and Shicun site in Guangrao County, Shandong Province, foot deformities were observed on three female remains. Compared with the historical records and X-ray films of bound feet of modern female, it can be speculated that the deformities of our ancient samples are resulted from foot-binding. Based on observations of their foot bones, three features of bound feet can be concluded: 1) All foot bones are thin, especially the metatarsal bones; 2) Wedge-shape evolution in tarsometatarsal joints and tarsal bones; 3) Under-development in muscle crests of lower limb with smooth bone surface and articular surface appeared at lips of lower tibia. Comparing foot binding group and non-footbinding group, their metatarsal bones are found with most obvious difference. Moreover, the robustness of lower limb bone of foot binding group was slightly weaker than the nonfootbinding group
    A study on the cultural lag of diet of nomads in the farming area: Based on the stable isotopic analysis of human bones from the Northern Wei Cemetery in Dongxin Square, Datong, Shanxi Province
    HOU Liangliang, GU Shunfang, ZHANG Xinyu, DAI Lingling, WU Xia, ZHANG Guowen, GUO Yi
    2017, 36(03):  359-369. 
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    People from different geographical regions can have distinctive food cultures and traditions. In the face of direct interaction with sedentary agriculturalists, Tuoba Xianbei (nomadic pastoralists) alter their dietary preferences over the course of time, i.e., from the nomadic life to agricultural life. Here we present carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratio results from 26 individuals from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386~534 AD) cemetery in Dongxin Square, Datong, Shanxi Province, China. The δ13C (-11.5±2.7‰, n=26) and δ15N (9.8±1.2‰, n=26) results show a mixture of C3 and C4 diets with the consumption of significant amounts of protein from animals. Individuals consuming C3 diets had lives centered on grazing and/or hunting, whereas individuals consuming C4 diets made their living mainly by millet agriculture. These two types of diet analysed in the Northern Wei Dynasty cemetery suggest that there was a cultural lag in the adoption of millet agriculture, a new food culture, of the Tuoba Xianbei regime. The cultural lag may be related to climate change, as the climate became cold and dry during this period, or alternatively to the fact that the rulers and some of the population did not prefer to change their diet.
    Physical characteristics of Uygur and Han adults in Karamay, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
    TU Chunjing, JIANG Chongmin, CAI Rui
    2017, 36(03):  370-379. 
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    To exploring physical characteristics of Uygur and Han adults in Xinjiang, according to the principle of entire group,stratified, random, based on the method specified by the index test method and criteria of national physique monitoring and testing guidance station, we obtained 4108 valid samples of 20~59 year-old Uygur and Han adults in Karamay City, Xinjiang. Research on the physical characteristics of the physical fitness project adopted Martin’s methods. We found physical characteristics of Uyghur nationality are super medium stature, broad chest, wide pelvic, narrow type hand, chunky type besides the differences of middle shoulder type in men and narrow shoulder type in women.Han nationality in Xinjiang Karamay shows wide chest, narrow shoulders, wide pelvis, narrow hand and intermediate fat on both of men and wome but high body in men and supermedium body in women. the differences of physical characteristics in Uighur and Han shows statistical significance(P<0.01), and the main difference exists in women of Uighur and Han nationality. The physical characteristics of the Uygur and Han nationality belongs to the northern people in Xinjiang Karamay.
    A study on the somatotypes of the Gejia people in Guizhou Province
    BAO Jinping, LI Yonglan, ZHENG Lianbin
    2017, 36(03):  380-387. 
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    The somatotypes of 311 Gejia adults (159 males and 152 females) in Guizhou were studied using the Heath-Carter somatotyping method. The results suggest that the endomorphmesomorph somatotype in both males and females are similar, but that males are more mesomophic, in contrast to females that lie between endomorphs and mesomorphs. Mean somatotype values were males: 3.4-4.8-2.1 and females: 4.9-4.7-1.3. Gender differences in somatotypes were statistically significant in all five age groups but with increased age, male endomorphic values became smaller and there were significant differences in somatotypes between age groups. Male mesomorphic and ectomorphic types were not related to age, and there were no significant age differences in mesomorphic and ectomorphic somatotypes in males. Female endomorphic values were negatively correlated with age, while mesomorphic and ectomorphic types were not related to age in females (P>0.05). The differences were statistically significant within age groups in all three somatotypes. Our research shows that the Gejia male somatotype is close to Han in Yunnan, Bouyei, Hakka and Deng, while the female type is close to Hakka, Nu, Deng and Dong. Among southern Chinese ethnic groups, Gejia adults have relatively more fat, average bone mass and muscle mass, and appear more robust. The Gejia somatotype living in Guizhou is relatively close to the Han ethnic groups living in South China.
    Geographical distributions of fat and lean mass indices in rural Chinese Han
    YU Keli, ZHANG Xinghua, LI Yonglan, XI Huanjiu, ZHENG Lianbin
    2017, 36(03):  388-394. 
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    Physical characteristic values of rural Chinese Han living in 36 areas around China were measured from 2009 to 2013. Fat mass index (Ifm) and lean mass index (Ilm) were calculated and the correlation between these indices and latitude determined. The results showed that male Ilm was positively correlation with latitude, but there were no correlation between Ifm and latitude (P>0.05). In females, there were positive correlations between Ifm, Ilm and latitude, respectively (P<0.01). Male Ilm values were linear increasing from south to north, which explains why Im correlated with latitude. Both female Ilm and Ifm increased linearly thus showing a correlation between Im and latitude.
    Genetic analysis of body circumference and breadth in school-age twins
    WANG Yan, LI Yuling, LIU Yan, GONG Jian
    2017, 36(03):  395-404. 
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    To analyze the genetic and environmental factors influences on the development of body ircumference and breadth in school-age twins, six body measurements including stature, chest circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, shoulder breadth and crista breadth were measured and the related indices were calculated in 351 twin pairs aged from 6 to 12 years old. Mx software was used to fit the best structural equation model to calculate the heritability of each index and analyze the effect of age and gender. The results indicated that the best fitting model of each index was ACES. The age variance (S) of each body measurement (0.21~0.76) was obviously higher than that of derivative indices except for the waist-hip ratio (female 0.15, male 0.05). The common environmental variance (C) of each index (0.00~0.53) varied largely. The special environmental variance (E) of derivative indices (0.09~0.25) was generally higher than that of body measurements (0.01~0.09). After adjusting age, the heritability of each index was as follows: Stature (female 63%, male 59%), chest circumference (female 84%, male 88%), stature-chest circumference index (female 87%, male 55%), waist circumference (female 46%, male 64%), hip circumference (female 61%, male 61%), waist-hip ratio (female 44%, male 44%), shoulder breadth (female 78%, male 78%), crista iliaca breadth (female 62%, male 62%), statureshoulder breadth index (female 40%, male 40%), stature-crista iliaca index (female 35%, male 48%) and acromio-cristal index (female 24%, male 24%). The above-mentioned results showed that the stature, waist circumference, stature-chest circumference index, hip circumference, shoulder breadth and crista iliaca breadth of school-age children were mainly influenced by the genetic factors, while the other indexes were mainly impacted by the environmental factors. Meanwhile, there were gender differences in genetic effect to some extent for stature-chest circumference index and waist circumference, and the age effect on the related indices of body circumference and breadth was not obvious in this study.
    Diet and related issues revealed by starch grain analysis on pottery unearthed from the Weijiawopu site, Inner Mongolia
    WANG Chunxue, CHENG Jingtang , CAO Jianen, TA La, XIONG Zenglong , GUAN Ying
    2017, 36(03):  405-413. 
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    The Weijiawopu site is located in Weijiawopu village in the city of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia. This site is a Ring Trench Settlement, which belongs to the Middle period of Hongshan Neolithic Culture. During the 2009-2011 excavation, many pottery flat-bottom tanks were unearthed with dark ash inside, which was collected for the plant residue analysis. Tanks without dark ash were also examined for the surface residues. From six specimens, starch grains were found after the laboratory processing. These starch grains could be classified into four groups, and identified to be from millet, plant underground storage organ, possibly nut and unidentifiable species. The tanks are thus speculated to be utensils for food stuff, for storage or transportation. The existence of plant underground storage organ indicates that the Weijiawopu occupants still gathered wild plants during the occupation time when they already domest icated crops.
    New proboscidean remains associated with Homo sapiens from the Mawokou Cave in Bijie, Guizhou Province of south-western China
    WANG Yuan, ZHAO Lingxia, DU Baopu, ZHANG Lizhao, WANG Xinjin, CAI Huiyang
    2017, 36(03):  414-425. 
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    Recently, three human fossil teeth in association with abundant mammalian remains have been recovered from the limestone Mawokou Cave in Bijie, Guizhou Province of south western China. The human teeth including one upper canine and two upper molars can be assigned into anatomically modern Homo sapiens both in tooth sizes and morphological traits. The mammalian assemblage associated with human teeth discovered from the Mawokou Cave contains 8 orders, 20 families, 43 genera and 53 species after identification, including 23 species of large mammals and 30 species of small mammals. In this study the proboscidean remains from this site are systematically described as Stegodon orientalis and Elephas maximus. Due to the absence of the typical Early Pleistocene members in southern China, such as Sinomastodon and Stegodon huananensis, the Mawokou fauna bears the transitional characteristics of the typical Middle Pleistocene Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna (s. s.) and Late Pleistocene Asian elephant fauna in southern China. The geological age of the Mawokou fauna is estimated to be late Middle Pleistocene or early Late Pleistocene based on the biostratigraphic correlation. The preliminary TL/OSL dating of the strata containing the human fossils gives an age of 178 ka~112 ka. The proboscidean assemblage with the associated fauna from the Mawokou Cave signifies a warm, humid subtropical forest with aquatic resources, shrubs, and grasslands nearby. This environment was apparently favorable for habitation of Homo sapiens, as well as Stegodon orientalis and Elephas maximus.