试论大汶口文化的分期

THE PERIODIZATION OF THE TA-WEN-K’OU CULTURE

一、对大汶口文化的认识过程大汶口文化的发现与确立是新中国考古工作的重大成果之一。对于它的认识是分别通过江苏、山东两个地区的工作而由浅入深、由片面到比较全面的。江苏方面,早在1951年就在淮安青莲岗发现了一处以红陶为主,兼有少量彩陶的新石器时代遗址。随后,以南京博物院为主。

The discovery of the Ta-wen-k'ou Culture was one of the most important events in Chinese archaeology since the founding of the New China in 1949. Distributed for the most part in Shantung and northern Kiangsu, it is one of the main types of Neolithic cultures found in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and so far nearly a hundred of its sites have already been identified. Basing itself largely on the findings obtained at five of its major type-sites (i.e. Liu-lin in P'i-hsien, Kiangsu, Ta-tun-tzu in the same county, Ta-wen-k'ou in T'ai-an, Shantung, Hsi-hsia-hou in Ch'u-fu, Shantung and Tung-hai-yu in Jih-chao, Shantung), the present paper seeks to determine the relative dates of its various sites in the light of stratigraphical evidence, combination of funerary pottery and the transformation of vessel shapes as evinced by some of its characteristic vessel types like the beaker, kueitripod and 'water bottle'. The results of this initial attempt are then further checked against the radiocarbon dates so that a comparatively reliable chronology of the development of this culture may now be presented as follows: Early stage. The remains of this stage, which date from about B. C. 4,500 to B. C. 3,500, are represented by the cemetery excavated at Liu-lin. The pottery, which consists largely of hand-made red ware, is dominated by such types as the beaker, handled tripod and various types of the ting-tripods with the body resembling either one of the following vessels: fu-cauldron, po-vase, kuan-vase, and p'en-basin. There are also some painted pottery similar to those found at the Miao-ti-kou site of the Yangshao Culture. Most of the tombs contain a single skeleton though there are also some multiple burials. The absence of any marked difference in the amount of tomb furniture buried in each tomb with the dead suggests that the tombs of this stage probably date from the end of the matriarchal society, the early stage of clan society. Middle stage. Dating from about B. C. 3,500 to B. C. 2,800, the remains of this stage are represented by the tombs of the early and middle stages at the Ta-wen-k'ou cemetery. The red ware is now on the decline, being gradually replaced by a bluish-grey ware and a greyish-white ware. The most common types are the 'water bottle' with a rounded body, a red ware kuei-tripod with solid legs and the stemmed tou-vessel with large perforations on the stem. Joint burials of a man and a woman now begin to make their appearance along with large wooden-chambered tombs. The marked differences in the quantity and quality of the tomb furniture buried in each tomb with the dead indicate that the tombs of this stage, probably date from the patriachal society, the late stage of the clan society. Late stage. The remains of this stage, which date from about B. C. 2,800 to B. C. 2,300, are represented by the tombs of the late stage excavated at the Ta-wen-k'ou cemetery. The bulk of the pottery consists of grey and black wares, accompanied by a hard white ware which is making its first appearence. Wheels also come to be used in the making of pottery. The most frequently encountered types are the 'water bottle' with a slim body, a white ware kuei-tripod with hollowed legs, a polished black ware stemmed sup, a black ware p'ingvessel and the ting-tripod with basket design. The richness of the tomb furniture uncovered from Tomb No. 10 of this cemetery points to the differentiation of classes and the emergence of private property, which indicate that the clan society was on the eve of its final collapse.