| 摘要: |
| 陶鬲是西周时期主要的炊器和随葬品，对研究先秦时期先民的饮食生活和祭祀文化具有重要意义。留存在陶鬲表层的有机残留物，能够提供关于其功能及先民植物利用等方面的信息。对陕西西安进步遗址距今约3000 a的16座西周墓葬随葬的16件陶鬲进行表层残留物提取，分析其中的淀粉粒、植硅体和微炭屑。多种植物化石的证据表明：这批随葬陶鬲不仅作为具有丧葬功能的随葬品放置于墓葬之中，也是兼具使用功能的实用器。另外，结合开展的模拟实验结果以及相关的文献典籍资料，认为这批陶鬲曾盛放或炊煮加工粟类和麦类作物，这些农作物还经过脱壳处理，并用以祭祀、供奉墓主人。该结果为研究西周丰镐地区周边聚落中随葬陶鬲的功能性质、植物利用及组合等方面问题提供了实物证据，有助于推动对西周时期京畿周边地区先民生产生活方式、丧葬活动和文化面貌等方面的认识。 |
| 关键词: 西周时期 随葬品 陶鬲功能 淀粉粒 植硅体 微炭屑 |
| DOI：10.7515/JEE222094 |
| CSTR：32259.14.JEE222094 |
| 分类号: |
| 基金项目:陕西省社会科学基金项目（2022G004）；教育部哲学社会科学研究重大专项项目（2022JZDZ026）；国家自然科学基金项目（41807436） |
| 英文基金项目:Social Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2022G004); Key Projects of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research of the Ministry of Education (2022JZDZ026); National Natural Science Foundation of China (4180743 |
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| The function of burial pottery Li in the Western Zhou Dynasty revealed by a variety of plant fossils in Jinbu site, Shaanxi Province |
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JIN Xinyu1, 2, ZHAI Linlin1, 2*, WANG Yanpeng3, MA Zhikun1, 2
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1.China-Central Asia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Human and Environment Research, School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
2.Key Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation, School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
3.Xi’an Institute of Archaeology and Conservation on Culture Heritage, Xi’an 710068, China
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| Abstract: |
| Background, aim, and scope The pottery Li was the main cooking vessel and funerary object in the Western Zhou Dynasty which makes it significant for the study of ancient life, diet, and sacrificial culture in the Pre-Qin Period. In this study, starch grains, phytoliths, and microfossil charcoal from the surface residues of 16 pottery Li buried approximately 3000 years ago in 16 Western Zhou tombs at the Jinbu site in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, were extracted and analyzed. Based on the organic residues remaining on the surface of the pottery Li, we can obtain information about its function and plant utilization. Materials and methods Starch grain, phytolith, and microfossil charcoal analyses together with some simulation experiments were adopted to extract plant fossils and to ensure that they could be analyzed. Results Examination of 189 ancient starches revealed starch grains from millets (n=92) and the tribe Triticeae (n=25) with characteristics of shelling and cooking. The possible cooking method was boiling. The legume starches (n=1) retained their original form. Moreover, 1 phytolith from Pooideae husk, 9 phytoliths from foxtail millet husk, and 10 phytoliths from broomcorn millet husk were found and underburned microcharcoal particles were observed in the residues of the exterior surfaces. Discussion The experimental results showed that most of the starch grains extracted from the pottery Li were damaged. This high degree of damage is likely related to the processing methods used by the ancient people. The analysis of starch grains from the surface residues of the pottery Li indicated that millet was the most prevalent plant food resource used by the people of the Jinbu site in Shaanxi, followed by plants of tribe Triticeae. These findings suggest that the ancient inhabitants had a well-developed agricultural system and diverse diet. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, sacrificial rituals were highly important to both the emperor and the common people. In autumn, newly harvested millet was often offered alongside suckling pigs as a tribute to ancestors. These rituals, which reflect the importance of agriculture and the harvest in their belief system, were an integral part of their religious and social practices. The pottery Li, which were used as burial objects in tombs, might be considered as sacrificial vessels for these rituals. Their presence in tombs indicates their importance in both daily life and religious practices, further highlighting the deep integration of agriculture and ritual in ancient Chinese society. Conclusions Evidence from various plant fossils, including starch grains, phytoliths, and microfossil charcoal, indicates that the burial pottery Li vessels were not only funerary objects for burial but also everyday objects with practical use functions. In addition, based on the simulation experiments carried out in this study, we believe that this batch of pottery Li was used for processing and conclude that these potteries were used to hold or process cooked plant foods, such as millets and tribe Triticeae grains, after shelling and other offerings for sacrifice. This conclusion is consistent with the records in the Book of Rites. Recommendations and perspectives The results provide physical evidence to understand the function of pottery Li, plant utilization, and collocation of buried pottery Li in the surrounding areas of Fenghao during the Western Zhou Dynasty. They also promote understanding of various aspects of the production and lifestyle, funeral activities, and cultural appearance of the people in the surrounding settlements of Fenghao areas during the Western Zhou Dynasty. |
| Key words: Western Zhou Dynasty funerary objects function of pottery Li starch grain phytolith microfossil charcoal |
