Xuejiagang is a Neolithic archaeological culture identified in south China. Defined in the 1980s, work on this phenomenon has focused variously on cultural stages and elements, distributions and funerary customs. Key research contributions have been made by several individuals. Tong Zhuchen (1998) studied the function and techniques of Xuejiagang stone tools, while Zhang Chi discussed Later Neolithic material from Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces (Zhang Chi 2003) and the production of jade and other stone artefacts associated with the Beiyinyangying and Xuejiagang cultures (Zhang Chi 2000). Shuo Zhi and Yang Debiao have studied perforation techniques on stone knives excavated in Xuejiagang (2003). This work has been very important, but as yet, there has been no holistic observation of Xuejiagang stone tools, particularly the raw materials from which they were made. This situation is now changing. Along with increases in the number of sites being systematically surveyed and excavated, two recent reports (on QianShan Xuejiagang and the Gushan Cemetery at Wuxue) demonstrate an increased interest in characterising the petrology of all recovered stone tools.
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Last updated: Wed Jul 29 2009