关键词:
旧石器遗址,
形成过程,
自然因素,
沉积物,
地质考古
Abstract:
Archaeological site formation is influenced by a range of geogenic, biogenic and anthropogenic processes. Geogenic processes play a fundamental role in influencing deposition, transformation, and post-deposition. Since natural factors have the potential to disrupt original archaeological contexts to varying degrees, it is crucial that researchers evaluate the influence of these processes prior to interpreting cultural materials. However, up until now, few studies in China have focused specifically on the influence of these natural factors in Paleolithic site formation. In this paper, we begin by providing a review of relevant site formation studies, followed by the identification of one key research subject—archaeological sediments, with properties relating to grain size, magnetic susceptibility, geochemical elements, mineral components and micromorphology. In addition, we also present two Paleolithic site case studies in which sedimentary indices have been employed to explore formation processes (i.e., at the Xuchang hominid site in Henan Province and at the Sandinggai site in Hunan Province). Finally, although the physical and chemical nature of sediments is valuable, we illustrate that landscape-scale geomorphological evolution coupled with excavated archaeological specimens should also be considered when reconstructing Paleolithic site formation. By doing so, and by using a combination of different analytical approaches and building systematic survey and sample-collecting protocols, we show the value of this approach in the study of the Chinese Paleolithic as we develop this multi-disciplinary approach in the region.
Key words:
Paleolithic site,
Formation processes,
Natural factors,
Sediments,
Geoarchaeology