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

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。他将分析几个来自爪哇的大型中更新世骨骼化石样本，以寻找人类屠杀的痕迹。他还将进行实际研究，以确定岛上可用的不同原材料在新鲜骨头上的刻痕特征。这项研究是针对一个重大的人类学谜题。考古学家知道，原始人类在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。尽管它们并不总是同时出现在同一地点，但包含早期人类遗骸的地区通常有丰富的石器，这些石器具有多种功能。Java是一个非常有趣的例外。直立人，早期人类的遗骸已经在爪哇的许多地点被发现。然而，类似古代的石器似乎缺乏。对此，人们提出了几个理由——没有一个得到有力数据的支持。有人认为，人们主要以软的蔬菜食物为生，不需要石器。另一些人则认为，竹子保留了锋利的边缘，至今仍在使用，起到了必要的切割作用。尽管可能性不大，但也有可能根本没有使用任何工具。崔检查了动物遗骸，其中一些与原始人本身有关，并在骨头上发现了他认为是切割痕迹的证据。当骨头在地面上躺了很长一段时间，它们会通过自然的方式产生磨损和划痕。然而，许多实验考古学家认为，人类诱发的切割痕迹可以与这些其他现象区分开来。在初步研究中，崔顺实发现了他认为是这种割伤痕迹的证据。如果这些痕迹确实存在，它们有力地证明了工具的存在。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。他将通过低功率和扫描电子显微镜观察记录在骨头上的痕迹。有了这些受控的数据，他将研究在岛上发现的大量更新世动物遗骸。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。它将为早期原始人的文化能力提供新的线索，并有助于培养一位有前途的年轻科学家。

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.