Hidden in the vast landscapes of western Tibet, the Dingzhong Huzhu Stone Tools site offers a rare and valuable glimpse into early human activity on the Tibetan Plateau. Located just 5 kilometers southwest of Shiquanhe Town in Gar County, this important archaeological site sits at an altitude of about 4,260 meters in the Tashigang area of Gamo Township.
Set within a river valley and sand dune zone, the terrain here is noticeably sandy rather than rocky. Sparse, prickly vegetation dots the land, creating a stark yet fascinating environment that once supported ancient human communities. Scattered across this landscape are stone tools and pottery fragments that reveal sophisticated tool-making traditions adapted to high-altitude life.
An Archaeological Landscape Rich in Artifacts
The Dingzhong Huzhu site is distinguished by the diversity of artifacts found within a single location. Archaeologists have identified three main categories of cultural remains:
- Microliths
- Chipped stone tools
- Pottery fragments
This rare combination makes the site unique in western Tibet and highly significant for understanding prehistoric technology and daily life in the region.
Microliths: Evidence of Advanced Stone Tool Technology
Collection Overview
A total of 84 microlith specimens have been collected from the site, including microlith cores, flakes, and finished tools. These small stone tools demonstrate a high level of skill and efficiency, suggesting that ancient inhabitants carefully selected materials and production methods.
The microlith cores appear in a variety of shapes, such as conical, semi-conical, cylindrical, and distinctive “pencil-tip” forms. Common raw materials include flint, siliceous rock, and volcanic rock, all chosen for their durability and sharpness.
Types and Functions
The microlith flakes are divided into two main types: direct flakes and indirect flakes. Direct flakes are usually bar-shaped, while indirect flakes are narrower and more refined. All microlith tools were made through precise modification of stone flakes.
Identified tool types include nail-cover scrapers, arc-edged scrapers, cutters, and carvers. These tools likely played essential roles in hunting, food preparation, hide processing, and woodworking, reflecting a well-adapted lifestyle in a challenging high-altitude environment.
Chipped Stone Tools: Strength and Versatility
Range of Discoveries
In addition to microliths, archaeologists uncovered 48 chipped stone tool specimens. These include cores, flakes, and finished tools, mainly crafted from siliceous rock and volcanic rock.
The stone cores often display a triangular pentahedral shape, indicating systematic flaking techniques. Long flakes tend to be nearly rectangular, while short flakes are square or irregular in form.
Functional Tools
Among the finished tools are cutters, scrapers, and choppers. Compared to microliths, these tools are larger and more robust, suggesting their use in heavy-duty tasks such as bone breaking, plant processing, or construction-related activities.
Together, the chipped stone tools and microliths reflect a diversified toolkit designed to meet a wide range of survival needs.
Pottery Fragments: Signs of Settled Life
Types of Pottery
The site also yielded 30 pottery fragments, offering insight into early ceramic production in western Tibet. These fragments fall into two main categories: sand-tempered pottery and clay pottery.
Sand-tempered pottery pieces are typically yellow-brown in color, while clay pottery fragments are more often red. The variation in materials suggests experimentation and evolving ceramic techniques.
Decorative Features
Several pottery shards display decorative elements, including painted stripes, incised lines, impressed cord marks, and leaf vein patterns. These designs indicate not only practical use but also an emerging sense of aesthetics and cultural expression among ancient inhabitants.
A Unique Archaeological Site in Western Tibet
What makes the Dingzhong Huzhu Stone Tools site especially important is that it is currently the only known site in western Tibet where microliths, chipped stone tools, and pottery coexist. This rare combination provides archaeologists with a more complete picture of technological development and cultural transition on the Tibetan Plateau.
The presence of both stone tools and pottery suggests a community that was evolving from purely mobile survival strategies toward more settled or semi-settled ways of life.
Insights into Early Human Adaptation on the Tibetan Plateau
The artifacts found at Dingzhong Huzhu highlight the ingenuity and resilience of early humans living at extreme altitudes. Crafting tools from local stone, developing efficient microlith technologies, and producing decorated pottery all point to a deep understanding of the environment.
These discoveries enrich our understanding of prehistoric Tibet, shedding light on how ancient populations adapted to thin air, harsh climates, and limited natural resources while developing complex cultural traditions.