Dissertation Research: Plio-Pleistocene Javanese Homo erectus Subsistence & Tool Use Behavior: An Experimental & Taphonomic Approach

论文研究：上里奥-更新世爪哇直立人的生存

• 批准号: 9705379
• 负责人: Jonathan Kenoyer
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-07-01 至 1998-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9705379&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Plio; Pleistocene; Javanese

Under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Kenoyer, Mr. Kildo Choi will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will analyze several large samples of fossilized mid-Pleistocene bone from Java to search for traces of human butchering marks. He will also conduct actualistic studies to determine the cutmark signatures different raw materials which are available on the island cause on fresh bone. The research is directed at a major anthropological enigma. Archaeologists know that hominids first produced stone tools over two million years ago and these virtually indestructible objects have been recovered in many parts of the world. Although they do not always co-occur in the same site, areas which contain early human remains are usually rich in stone tools which served a number of functions. Java is a very interesting exception. Homo erectus, early hominid remains have been discovered at a number of sites in Java. However stone tools of similar antiquity appear to be lacking. Several reasons - none supported by strong data - have been suggested for this. It has been argued that the people subsisted primarily on soft vegetable foods and did not have a need for stone tools. Others have proposed that bamboo, which retains a sharp edge and is still used today, served the needed cutting function. It is also possible, although unlikely, that no tools were used at all. Mr. Choi has examined faunal remains, some associated with the hominids themselves, and found evidence of what he believes are cut marks on the bones. When bones lie on the ground for significant periods of time, they acquire abrasions and scratches through natural means. Many experimental archaeologists argue however that humanly induced cut marks can be distinguished from these other phenomena. In a preliminary study Mr. Choi has found, what he believes to be evidence of such cut marks. If such marks do exist, they argue strongly for the presence of tools. In a first phase of the current study Mr. Choi will use types of stone which are locally available, as well as bamboo, to butcher animals. He will observe through low power as well as scanning electron microscopy the marks which are recorded on the bone. With these controlled data in hand, he will then examine large series of Pleistocene faunal remains which have been recovered on the island. This research is important because it will address one of the major anomalies in the archaeological record. It will shed new light on the cultural abilities of early hominids and assist in training a promising young scientist.

在Jonathan Kenoyer博士的指导下，Kildo Choi先生将为他的博士论文收集数据。他将分析来自爪哇的几个大型中更新世骨化石样本，以寻找人类屠宰痕迹的痕迹。他还将进行实际研究，以确定切割标记签名不同的原材料，这是在岛上的原因新鲜骨。这项研究是针对一个重大的人类学之谜。考古学家知道，原始人在200多万年前首次制造出石器，这些几乎坚不可摧的物品在世界许多地方都被发现。虽然它们并不总是同时出现在同一地点，但含有早期人类遗骸的地区通常富含具有多种功能的石器。Java是一个非常有趣的例外。直立人，早期的人类遗骸已在爪哇的一些地点被发现。然而，类似古代的石器似乎缺乏。对此提出了几个原因-没有一个得到有力数据的支持。有人认为，人们主要靠软蔬菜食物为生，不需要石器。另一些人则认为，保留了锋利边缘并至今仍在使用的竹子，具有所需的切割功能。也有可能根本没有使用任何工具，尽管这种可能性不大。 崔先生检查了动物群的遗骸，其中一些与原始人类本身有关，并在骨头上发现了他认为是切割痕迹的证据。当骨头长时间躺在地上时，它们会通过自然方式获得磨损和划痕。然而，许多实验考古学家认为，人类引起的切割痕迹可以与其他现象区分开来。在初步研究中，崔先生发现了他认为是这种切割痕迹的证据。如果这些痕迹确实存在，他们强烈支持工具的存在。在目前研究的第一阶段，Choi先生将使用当地可用的石头和竹子来屠宰动物。他将通过低功率以及扫描电子显微镜观察记录在骨上的标记。有了这些受控数据，他将研究在岛上发现的大量更新世动物群遗骸。 这项研究很重要，因为它将解决考古记录中的一个主要异常现象。它将为早期原始人类的文化能力提供新的线索，并有助于培养有前途的年轻科学家。