[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.
关于史前考古遗址出土的磨盘和磨棒的功能,一直众说纷纭.过去一直认为是一种加工谷物的农具,近年来虽有异议,但缺乏直接证据.本文利用淀粉粒分析对北京平谷上宅遗址(7500～7000 cal a BP)出土的一件磨盘和一件磨棒进行了研究.从石器表面残留物上提取出的淀粉粒,可分为9类12种.在可鉴定的淀粉粒中,最多的是来自栎属(Quercus)果实(橡子)的淀粉粒;其次是来自粟(Setaria italica)的淀粉粒.栎属中包括蒙古栎(Q.mongolicus)、麻栎(Q.acuttssima)和槲树(Q.dentata)的淀粉粒,另有一定数量的黍(P.miliaceum)和小豆属(Vigna)淀粉粒,其余杂草类及可能为块茎类的淀粉粒无法更进一步鉴定归属.磨盘磨棒上植物种类的多样性表明这些器物不是只用来加工谷物,更不能作为农业出现的标志.这些石器被用于加工各种需要碾磨和脱粒的植物果实或者块茎.同时磨盘磨棒上的植物组合也反映了7000年前,北京平原上人类社会的经济方式以采集与农业并重,日常饮食包括了粟、黍、橡子以及一些块茎类和杂草类植物的种子和果实,当时的气候条件较今温暖湿润.
