改写东亚旧石器时代技术史 南阳西沟遗址发现东亚已知最早工具装柄技术

Core Insights - The archaeological research at the Xigou site in Nanyang, Xichuan, has made significant breakthroughs, confirming the existence of systematic stone tool production technology and the earliest known tool hafting techniques in East Asia, dating back 160,000 to 72,000 years ago, which challenges the long-held belief of a conservative cultural and technological landscape during the Paleolithic era in East Asia [3][4] Group 1 - The Xigou site, located at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains, provides favorable conditions for ancient human survival and technological development due to its unique environmental setting [4] - Excavations from 2019 to 2021 revealed a total area of 243 square meters, providing clear stratigraphic evidence of ancient human technological levels [4] - A total of 2,601 stone artifacts were unearthed, including scrapers and drills, with 22 tools showing clear hafting traces, confirming at least two methods of hafting, representing the earliest verified composite tools in East Asia [4] Group 2 - The stone tools from the Xigou site exhibit multifunctionality, with some showing traces of plant processing, and were made from local quartz and quartzite, challenging the notion that quartz is unsuitable for fine tool production [4] - The findings at the Xigou site are supported by archaeological results from other contemporaneous sites, such as the Lingjing Xuchang site, indicating that ancient humans in East Asia had mastered various complex technologies [4] - The research team noted that the climate in East Asia during this period was highly variable, and the innovation in stone tool technology was a survival strategy adapted to environmental changes, closely linked to the cognitive advancements of prehistoric populations [5]