山西芮城清凉寺墓地与潞盐的初期外销

Qingliangsi Cemetery and the Early Trade of Lu Salt

清凉寺史前墓地位于山西省最南端的芮城县东北部,在中条山南麓一个南北走向山梁下的缓平坡地上。这里北以中条山脊与运城市、永济市为界,南以黄河干流与河南省灵宝市相望,由于附近有一座始建于元大德七年(1303年)的佛教寺院——清凉寺而得名(图一)。墓地与东部较高山梁上的坡头村遗址区合称寺里一坡头遗址,最早发现于1955年。

Qingliangsi prehistoric cemetery is located in northeastern Ruicheng county,southernmost tip of Shanxi Province.From 2003~2005,the Shanxi Institute of Archaeology excavated this cemetery,and 355 graves were discovered.The author argues that some special phenomena at the cemetery may be related to the early exploitation of Yuncheng Salt Lake and salt trade.The special phenomena at Qingliangsi cemetery from Phase 2 to Phase 4.The size and distribution patterns of some graves are distinctive;the deceased likely have special identities;there are several cases showing inequalities during Phase 2,such as abandoned or kneeling adult remains,and a large number of human sacrifices were found during Phase 3;large number of jade objects were found from burials,which is not local tradition;influences from Yangtze River area and Yellow River area were found at the cemetery,which are rare in this region in prehistory;the sex ratio of human remains is abnormal,and males are the majority during Phases 3 and 4.All the burials dated to phases 3 and 4 were looted;there is obvious discrepancy between the cemetery and the residential area.Some occupants are apparently of eminent background.The date of Qingliangsi cemetery.Pottery associated with the burials indicate that Phase 2dates back to the late Miaodigou 2 Culture period,and Phase 3 and Phase 4 date to Longshan period;The calendar year ranges from Phase 2 to Phase 4 are:2470 BC^1700 BC(95.4%confidence level)or 2300 BC^1800 BC(68.2%confidence level).The connection between salt trade and Qingliangsi cemetery.According to historical records,people had already begun to collect natural salt crystals from Salt Lake during the regimes of Yao and Shun;Most lake salt was sold into southern China.Ruicheng is located just to the south of Yuncheng Salt Lake.There was a track between the salt producing area and Qingliangsi cemetery,and Jian River connects Qingliangsi and ancient ferry on Yellow River.Qingliangsi cemetery is located right at the middle point between Salt Lake and Yellow River.Qingliangsi area may function as the transfer point on the salt trade route.Occupants of Phased 2 graves were people who were involved in salt trade,while occupants of Phases 3and 4 were officers who administered salt trade.