Research On The Stone Knives Of The Northeast Area In China

This thesis is researching on the Stone Knives of the Northeast area, from the New Stone Age until the Bronze Age. Stone Knives are important relics for ancient archaeological studies. There are many research studies on Stone Knives, but as the research data become more sufficient and specific, especially there are many new ruin sites studies published in the recent years; research data in this area becomes more comprehensive. This dissertation, follows the previous studies on this topic, continues to research the Stone Knives of the Northeast area systemically and throughout.This thesis consists of six chapters.Chapter One: PrefaceThe preface summarises previous literature and current research on this topic, follows by an introduction of this dissertation. The introduction includes the research studies covered and the content of this thesis.Chapter Two: Types of Stone KnivesThis chapter gives a systematic review of different types of Stone Knives. According to the exterior characteristics and different uses, Stone Knives could be categorised into nine types. A more specified categorization is included in this chapter as well.Chapter Three: Distribution by regionsThis thesis groups Stone Knives of the Northeast area into four regions: the west part, and the middle-east part of LiaoNing, JiLin and ChangChun region, and YanBian and the southeast part of HeiLongJiang region. Stone Knives in different regions took different shapes and forms; this reflects local characteristics of different regions. A chronological analysis of Stone Knives in different regions gives an approximate guess of the prevalent periods of Stone Knives in different regions.Chapter Four: Distribution by periodsThe prevalent periods of Stone Knives in Northeast area could be categorized into three periods (or four segments). The first period is the earlier years of the New Stone Age; the second period is the middle to later years of the New Stone Age; and the first segment of the third period is the earlier years of the Bronze Age while the second segment of the third period is the middle to later years of the Bronze Age. There are clear differences among each period (segments). These differences reflect the different shapes and structures of Stone Knives in the Northeast area. A introductary understanding of the evolutionary history of the Stone Knives in Northeast area is deducted from this systematic periodical analysis.Chapter Five: Usage of Stone KnivesThis chapter first summarises the research findings of previous studies. Based on these findings, this dissertation makes some speculation on the uses and handles of several particular Stone Knives. These results would be greatly helpful for the users of Stone Knives. Besides, the improvement in efficiencies of the Stone Knives could also be observed from their groupings. This issue however requires further in-depth research and investigation.Chapter Six: ConclusionThis chapter summarise the main points of this dissertation before concludes.