石制品技术分析的盲测实验

Blind test experiments in the technological interpretation of lithic artifacts

石制品技术研究作为一项拥有60多年历史的研究手段,已经形成了完善的理论体系和操作程式,可以反映古人类的行为特征、认知能力等多方面的信息。技术阅读是石制品技术分析过程中最重要的研究手段之一。其中,对石核剥片过程的复原是技术阅读的核心,也是分析整个石器生产过程的基础,提高石制品技术阅读的准确性是研究人员需要不断追求的目标。本文以采集自宁夏水洞沟遗址附近的白云岩、石英岩等为原料,参照微痕分析的盲测手段,通过石制品打制实验、初步技术阅读(“盲测”)、拼合分析校正、重复交叉技术阅读等方式,揭示影响技术阅读准确性的相关因素,提出提高技术阅读准确性的方法,并对“盲测”实验在石制品技术阅读中的重要性进行简要探讨。

Over the last 60 years lithic analysis has advanced tremendously, which has led to solid theoretical foundations and mature operating processes. By using lithic analysis, researchers can investigate human behavior, cognitive ability, subsistence patterns and more. Interpreting technological features is an essential way to study and understand lithics. The basis of technological interpretation is the reduction sequence, which serves as the foundation for studying the entire lithic assemblage’s debitage. Increasing the accuracy of technological interpretation is, without a doubt,an objective that researchers must continually purse. It is generally believed that raw materials,the number of scars on lithic artifacts and the experience of researchers are key factors affecting the accuracy of technological interpretation. Although refitting analysis can test the conclusion of technological interpretation to a certain extent, not all unearthed lithics qualify for this type of analysis. Systematic guidance and rich research experience can effectively improve the accuracy of researchers’ recognition of technological features of artifacts and thus improve technological interpretations. While experience is difficult to quantify and intuitively display, accuracy of lithic technological interpretation is often ignored. In most interpretations, results are usually considered to be completely correct, a point that is also worthy of further discussion. So, is there a way to intuitively show the credibility of technological analysis and help researchers improve the accuracy of their technological reading? This research uses a similar approach in use-wear analysis to conduct a blind test of technical interpretation on experimentally knapped dolomite and quartzite pebbles found near the Shuidonggou site in Ningxia. This study uncovers elements impacting technological reading precision, through the phases of knapping experiments, preliminary technological interpretation, refitting analysis and correction of initial studies, and repeatability of technological interpretations. It also outlines ways for improving technological interpretation accuracy, as well as a brief discussion on the value of the blind test experiment.