BP 36,000-30,000년 만경강 유역 구석기유적의 분포와 성격

Abstract

Research into the relics of the Paleolithic Era in the Mankyung River Basin that were excavated since the 2000s confirmed the existence of three cultural layers. The third occupation layer in the Mankyung River Basin, which is the lowest one, can be divided into the first period (BP 35,000) and second period (BP 30,000). In the first and second periods of the third cultural layer in the Mankyung River Basin, mostly core stone tools and flake stone tools made of quartzite stones were found, and traces of blade-making using rhyolite stones were identified in some relics. Rhyolite stones were a new raw material for the efficient application of advanced stone tool-manufacturing technology that emerged during the post-Old Stone Age. Rhyolite stones were not easily obtained in the neighborhood, but were secured through economic activity. Widespread use of these stones suggests the level and characteristics of stoneware manufacturing technology of a group of people that manufactured such relics. With regard to the origin of blades, wide use of rhyolite stones and stone tool relics made with advanced stone tool-manufacturing technology can be interpreted as traces of modern humans of the northern region, while relics of pebble tools and flake stoneware made of quartzite are considered as belonging to modern humans of the southern region or Paleolithic humans. This suggests that the Paleolithic Era in the Mankyung Basin (BP 36,000–30,000) involves the coexistence of at least three groups— local Paleolithic humans, modern humans of the southern region, and modern humans of the northern region. In addition, the coexistence of these groups was similarly found in other partsof the Korean peninsula. With this background, relics of Jeonju Bonggok/Wolpyeong C and Wanju Galsanri can be seen as having originated from modern humans of the northern region, relics of Iksan Seoduri 2, Jeonju Deokdong C, and Wangju Ungyo from local Paleolithic humans, and relics of Jeonju Jangdong and Iksan Ssangjeongri from modern humans of the southern region. However, this classification is based on an analysis of fragmentary data on the use of stone materials and lithic composition, not considering variations that could have been formed by interactions among those groups, meaning this study needs to be improved through further research.