大山前遗址夏家店下层文化石铲的功能研究

The Research on the Functions of the Polished Stone Spades of the Lower Xiajiadian Culture in Dashanqian Site

从石铲的形制特征、工艺设计、使用痕迹、复制使用实验以及相关民族学材料等五个方面加以分析,可以确认大山前遗址石铲的主要功能是中耕除草的石锄,而非用以挖土的铲或锄,只有极少数在点种时可能被用作铲。夏家店下层文化时期可能已经出现原始的精耕细作农业,农业工具组合发生了巨大的变化。

The functions and operation methods of the polished stone spades found from the remains of Lower Xiajiadian Culture in Dashanqian Site have long been an unresolved question, and the relevant arguments about them have been generally limited in the knowledge of common sense. This paper studies their functions and socio-historical significance on the basis of the analyses on their form patterns, technological designs, use-wear, replication and use experiments, as well as ethnographic analogy. The synthesized method can make function distinguishing more reliable. It draws a conclusion that the polished stone spades of Dashanqian Site were used as hoes for intertillage weeding, not for digging as shovels or pickaxes. A minor part of spades probably were used for sowing. Finally, it discusses the role of the tool in the agricultural system, coordinated with the studies of the socio-historical background and physical environment of that period. It suggests that the early intensive agricultural system was established at the time of Lower Xiajiadian Culture, and the whole tool assemblage, including digging, tilling and weeding tools, also changed in this transition.