摘要
This report is the first on archaeological surveys conducted within the project area of the Li-yu-t'an Dam. The region surveyed is located in the San-kui District, San-yi hisang, Miao-li County, in the vicinity of the proposed location of the Dam. Five localities yielding prehistoric remains were discovered, and three of these also contained Ch'ing Dynasty Ch'ing Hua procelain sherds. The localities have been designated San-kui-k'eng Sites A-E. Sites A and C were selected for test excavations.
Eighteen test pits were excavated at locality A. The prehistoric levels yielded stone tools such as axes, hoes and knives; red and brown ware pottery sherds; and, a large quantity of lithic raw material and debitage associated with the manufacture of stone tools. An associate radiocarbon dating of 3710±207 B. P. (tree-ring calibrated) has been determined. The cultural aspect of these remains bears comparison with the Niu-ma-t'ou Culture of Central Taiwan.
As a result of the trial excavations at the San-kui-k'eng Site A, we may extend the region of distribution of the Niu-ma-t'ou Culture northward to the drainage of the Ta-an River. Moreover, the evidence allows us to suggest one possible route of the late period Niu-ma-t'ou Culture's spread into the uplands.