Lithic variability and the cultural elaboration of Upper Pleistocene North China. Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Miller-Antonio, Sari. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 07/10/2021 04:01:47 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/185777 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and ,dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedtbrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. V·M·I University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. M148106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 9220'108 Lithic variability and the cultural elaboration of Upper Pleistocene North China Miller-Antonio, Sari, Ph.D. The University of Arizona, 1992 D·M·I 300 N. Zeeb Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48106 LITHIC VARIABILITY AND THE CULTURAL ELABORATION OF UPPER PLEISTOCENE NORTH CHINA by Sari Miller-Antonio A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 9 2 - . ---_._------ 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Sari Miller-Antonio entitled _L_I_THI__ C_V_:ARI __ AB_I_L_I_TY_' _AND __ THE__ aJU__ rruRAL ___ ELAB<l__ M_T_IOO ______ _ OF UPPER PLEIS'l'OC.mE NORrH CHINA and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 12/20/91 Date 12/20/91 Date 12/20/91 Date Date Date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copy of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. 12/20/91 sen Date 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. ---- ------------- 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The opportunity to study China's extraordinary prehistoric record has deepened both my understanding of and respect for that country's rich cultural heritage. I would like to express my thanks to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, especially the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) and its former director Zhang Miman, f,or facilitating my dissertation research. This work would not have been possible without the generosity and logistical support of Professor Huang Weiwen who graciously shared with me his office space, his time and his vast knowledge of the Chinese Paleolithic. I am also indebted to Professors Jia Lanpo and Zhang Senshui for their advice and assistance. My colleaques on the third floor of IVPP became my extended family during the summer field seasons since 1987. I thank them collectively. They have greatly enriched my visits to China. Many thanks to the IVPP artists for providing the outstanding stone and bone artifact illustrations. I extend my gratitude to my dissertation committee. Dr. John W. Olsen's impressive reputation and pioneering work in China made it possible for me to undertake this project. As my committee chair, he offered me his expertise and quidance. As my friend, his belief in my abilities helped me through many difficult times. It is often true that the toughest criticism is, in the end, the most productive. I thank Dr. Arthur J. Jelinek for his constructive criticism tempered by his wisdom and humor. At the start of my graduate work in Anthropology, Dr. William A. Longacre played a pivotal role in encouraging me to pursue this degree. I will always be grateful for his support and kindness. Pursuing this degree would have seemed less worthwhile, were it not for the continuous encouragement of family and friends. I thank Susan Bierwirth, Donald Whelan, Irving Miller, Debbie Fogelman, Barb Roth and Laura Fulginiti for their support. My deepest thanks to my husband, Mark Antonio, for his endless patience, reassuring disposition and for cheerfully sharing the sometimes overwhelming demands of our family. 5 For my daughter, Lili 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 9 LIST OF TABLES ••...•..•..•••..••..•••........•.•.•••. 11 ABSTRACT •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••.•••••• 13 1. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND INTERPRETIVE MODELS IN THE CHINESE PALEOLITHIC ••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••..• 15 Introduction and Research Objectives ••••••••••••••••• 15 A Current Model of Paleolithic Traditions in China ••• l? Historical Foundations •••••••••••••••••••••••••• l? Small Tool vs. Microlithic Traditions ••••••••••• 19 Typology ........................................ 24 Large Tool Tradition ••••••••••••.•••••••••••..•• 25 The Question of Style and Stone Artifacts •••••••••••• 2? Composition and Methodology of this Study •••••••••••• 31 Chronological Terms .................................. 34 Summary ...........•...•.......••..................... 35 2. PREHISTORIC TECHNOLOGIES .•••.•••.••••...•••..••.••••. 39 Li thic Technol 09Y .................................... 40 Raw Material for Lithics in China ••••••••••••••• 40 African Technology .............................. 43 The Organization of Lithic Technology ••••••••••• 46 Lithic Reduction Strategies and Projectile Technology ...................................... 51 Bone Technology ••••••.•...••••••.••.•.•••...•.••....• 55 Bone and Antler as Raw Material for flaked Implements ...................................... 56 Taphonomic Considerations ••••••••••••••••••••••• 59 Wood Technology ...................................... 61 Summary and Conclusions .••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 64 3. THE QUATERNARY PALEOENVIRONMENT OF NORTH CHINA ••••••• 68 Introduction ......................................... 68 Mega-geomorphic Regions and the Origins of Aridity in North China ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 69 Arid Zones Defined ••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••• 69 The Formation and Expansion of North China's Deserts ................................. 71 The Formation of the Loess Plateau •••••••••••••• ?3 The Marine Oxygen Isotope Record and Pleistocene Climate .............................................. 76 ---- -- -- _._---------- 7 Table of Contents (continued) The Loess-Paleosol Sequence Correlated with the Oxygen Isotope Curve •••••••••••••••••••••••• 77 The Pollen Record and Pleistocene Climate •••••••••••• 79 Indicator Species and the Comparative Approach ........................................ 81 North China Pleistocene Pollen Assemblages and Paleoclimate................. • ••• 82 Pleistocene vertebrate Paleoecology •••••••••••••••••• 83 Animal Fossils in the Loess ••••••••••••••••••••• 85 Artiodactyla .................................... 86 Perissodactyla.......... •••••• • ••••• 87 Summary .......... ..... 89 4. THE SALAWUSU SITE, INNER MONGOLIA ••••••••••• • ••• 95 Introduction .............................. • •.• 95 A History of Archaeological Investigations at Salawusu ............................... • ••• • 96 Chronology ........................... .... 96 Artifacts from Pre-l980 Collections: Early Interpretations ................................. 99 The Human Fossils From Salawusu •••••••••••••••• 103 The Salawusu Fauna: Chronological Impl ications .............................. •••• 106 The stratigraphy of