[Objective] The aim was to research and identify starch grain microfossil found in archaeological sites in China, and to find appropriate procedures for the starch grain analysis experiment.[Method] Wheat starch grain size distribution was analyzed, and some simulated experiments were carried out, like mortar grinding, ultrasonic treatment, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide immersion, drying treatment, and so on. [Result] The mean size of wheat starch grains had increased in the growth process. Mortar grinding would make wheat starch grains larger than untreated sample. Long time of ultrasonic treatment can also make the starch grain size larger. 10% HCl and 6% H2O2 would have little effects on morphological feature of wheat starch grains. Low temperature heating did not cause starch grains to be gelatinized. [Conclusion] These experiment results can improve the accuracy of starch grain microfossil identification in the archaeological site. Starch grain analysis may be a utility and effective analytical tool in studying the origin of agriculture and the dispersal of crops in China.
江西社山头遗址是赣东北地区新石器时代的典型遗址,尚未开展相关环境考古和植物考古等方面的研究。对该遗址出土陶器内壁残留物的淀粉粒分析表明,内壁残留物中包含了不同种类植物的淀粉粒,主要来自稻类和粟类作物,还有部分块根块茎类植物以及部分暂时不能鉴定的淀粉粒。可鉴定淀粉粒中包括稻类7粒、粟类9粒、块根块茎类2粒。从恢复的植物种类上来看,社山头遗址区域在4500~3500 a BP这段时间的植物利用包括了稻类、粟类和部分块根块茎类植物。本研究结果可以为中国南方地区的植物考古和环境考古研究提供直接证据和补充,说明了该遗址古人类除水稻外其他植物资源的利用情况。同时本研究结果也可为南方地区古人类食谱和植物资源利用结构研究提供方法上的新思路。
A large number of stone knives have been recovered from Neolithic archaeological sites in East Asia.However, direct evidence regarding the functions of the stone knives has been scarce, and hence, their functions have remained controversial. In this study, we recovered and analysed ancient starch grains and phytoliths from residues adhering to stone knives excavated from the Lajia site, Qinghai Province, northwest China, thus providing direct evidence for the functions of the knives. Our analyses were based on the following:(1) an assemblage of 278identifiable starch grains, representing grains from the stems of foxtail millet(Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet(Panicum miliaceum)(65.1 % of the total) and the stems of Hordeum and Triticum species(3.6 % of the total), and(2) an assemblage of 361 identifiable phytoliths,the majority of which were from the stems and leaves of plants such as Panicoideae and related taxa(96 % of the total). Our study demonstrates that one of the functions of the stone knives was the harvesting crops. In addition, a few starch grains from food legumes and roots(3.4 % of the total) indicate that the stone knives were also likely used to process, peel and cut some foods.
Zhikun MaQuan LiXiujia HuanXiaoyan YangJingyun ZhengMaolin Ye
