Spheroids are a distinctive class of edgeless tools that exhibit significant variation during the Neo-Paleolithic period.This paper presents a comprehensive study of the spheroids unearthed at the Yangguanzhai site,employing typological and technological analysis.Classification and statistical analysis reveal that the original spheroids are all made from gravel,which can be categorized into natural and artificial spheroids,with limestone being the predominant material.The spheroids are primarily small in size,followed by larger ones,with stone pellets being relatively rare.High and medium roundness spheroids are more commonly observed.In terms of surface traces,various characteristics can be identified,including flake scars,dot pits or dense white spots,friction marks,and grinding or polishing marks.The processing techniques and strategies for spheroid production vary,involving a technological process with five main stages:raw material selection,rough shaping,cutting and molding,grinding and finishing,and surface polishing.Within these stages,at least nine operational strategies are identified,allowing for flexible adjustments based on the shape and characteristics of the raw spheroid material.The study reveals a strong correspondence between the types and technologies of spheroids,suggesting that the functions of these stone tools may have evolved or diversified over time.
Spheroids typologyProcessing TechnologyYangguanzhai Site
万方数据
维普
