Studying the Chronology and the settlements of Palaeolithic Culture in Chugoku District

1.冈山KAMISAIBARA村ONBARA遗址的发掘我们于1990年和1991年在Onbara遗址Loc.1进行了考古调查和发掘。我们在艾拉-坦泽火山灰层的上表面发现了新的石质遗迹，这被认为是缺乏任何文化遗迹的层。这一结果证实，翁巴拉遗址存在五个文化层：上层为过渡层，下层为软壤层，奥多里火山灰层，艾拉-坦扎泽火山灰层和含少量砾石的粘土层。这一数量的文化层次在日本西部考古遗址中被视为突出的文化层次复合体。在Odori层，作为文化层出土的少量遗骸，我们确认了片状、岩芯和木炭的集中，以及故意的石头处置。根据这一成果，我们获得了很好的数据来了解旧石器时代文化的岩石年代和聚落。在出土了丰富的文化遗存的粘土层上，我们于1990年和1991年新鉴定出8处石质遗迹，15处砾石堆，2处灰块。通过对这些碎石堆的详细检验，我们阐明了砾石、木炭、石料处置和石料残留物之间的密切关系。对一些旧石器时代遗址进行了考古调查，如下：鸟取县友东镇原田遗址；鸟取县关根镇NotSumi遗址；兵库县文森镇Hataganaru遗址；山口县宇部市周围的旧石器遗址。在这些遗址上，我们对其地层进行了调查和记录，并露出了石器遗迹的表面分布。石材的地质检验我们对岛根县冲之岛的黑麻岩源头进行了考古调查。我们还尝试了一些实验，以了解石器和岩石细节的制造技术。

1. THE EXCAVATION OF ONBARA SITE, KAMISAIBARA VILLAGE, OKAYAMA PREFECTUREWe had archaeological investigations and excavations at Onbara site Loc.1 in 1990, 1991. We found newly stone remains at the upper face of Aira-Tanzawa volcanic ash layer which is regarded as the layer lacking any cultural remains. In this result, at Onbara site it is confirmed to exist five cultural layers as follows: a transition layer as upper, a soft loam layer, Odori volcanic ash layer, Aira-Tanzawa volcanic ash layer and a clayish layer including a little gravel as lower. This amount of cultural layers is valued as prominent cultural layers complex among archaeological sites in western Japan. At Odori layer which had as the cultural layer unearthed scanty remains we confirmed concentrations of flakes, cores and of charcoals and intentional stone disposition. In terms of this fruit we got fine data to understand the lithic chronology and settlements of palaeolithic culture. At the clayish layer from which ample cultural remains were unearthed we identified newly 8 concentrations of stone remains, 15 gravel heaps, 2 ash clods in 1990, 1991. Through the detailed examinations of these gravel heaps was practiced, We explicated close relations among gravel, charcoals, stone disposition and stone remains.2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PALAEOLITHIC SITES IN CHUGOKU DISTRICTWe had archaeological surveys at some Palaeolithic site as follows: Harabata site, Yodoe Town, Tottori Prefecture; Notsumi site, Sekigane Town, Tottori Prefecture; Hataganaru site, Onsen Town, Hyogo prefecture; Palaeolithic sites around Ube city, Yamaguchi Prefecture. At these sites, we investigated and recorded on its stratigraphy and the distributions of stone remains exposed surface.3. GEOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STONE MATERIALSWe had a archaeological survey at obsidian source in Oki Island, Shimane Prefecture. And We attempted some experiments to understand the manufacturing technology of stone tools and petrographic details.