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

1.冈山县KVdd Aibara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。我们在被认为是没有任何文化遗迹的层的Aira-Tanzawa火山灰层的上表面发现了新的石头遗迹。在这一结果中，确认在Onbara现场存在如下五个文化层：作为上部的过渡层，软壤土层，大通火山灰层，Aira-Tanzawa火山灰层和粘土层，包括作为下部的少量砾石。这一数量的文化层被认为是日本西部考古遗址中突出的文化层复合体。在作为文化层的大通层出土了少量的遗骸，我们确认了薄片，核心和木炭的浓度和故意的石头配置。根据这一成果，我们获得了很好的资料，了解旧石器文化的石器时代和定居点。1990年、1991年在出土大量文化遗存的粘土层中，新发现8处石堆、15处砾石堆、2处火山灰土块。通过对这些石堆的详细检验，阐明了碎石、木炭、石料配置、石料之间的密切关系.中国地区的旧石器时代遗址的考古调查我们对以下旧石器时代遗址进行了考古调查：鸟取县淀户町的原端遗址;鸟取县关金町的野见遗址;兵库县温泉町的Hataganaru遗址;山口县宇部市周围的旧石器时代遗址。在这些遗址中，我们调查和记录了其地层和石遗存的分布。我们在岛根县隐岐岛的黑曜石产地进行了考古调查。并尝试通过实验来了解石器的制作工艺和岩相学细节。

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.