Research:2026-04-13/Journal article/unveiling-bast-fiber-production-in-upper-paleolithic-north-china-microfibers-and-usewear-traces-on-stone-tools

ResearchJournal article13 April 2026

Unveiling bast fiber production in Upper Paleolithic North China: Microfibers and usewear traces on stone tools from Shizitan

Li Liu, Yahui He, David Cohen, Xingcan Chen, Jinming Shi, Yanhua Song

PLOS One

Studies artefacts from two Upper Palaeolithic localities of the Shizitan site on the North China Loess Plateau, dated 28,000 to 18,000 cal BP and spanning the Last Glacial Maximum, for evidence of fibre working. Using microfossils (microfibres, phytoliths and fungi), usewear on stone tools, ethnographic observation and experiment, the authors identify microremains of hemp and flax and reconstruct possible stages of bast-fibre production, from cutting stalks and retting to pounding and scraping. Coloured fibres suggest to them that plant dyes and hematite were used. The identification rests on microremains and usewear, not ancient DNA, and hemp appears alongside flax.

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DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0346767

CountryChina

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2026-04-13 2026-10-15 Unveiling bast fiber production in Upper Paleolithic North China: Microfibers and usewear traces on stone tools from Shizitan Journal article History Li Liu, Yahui He, David Cohen, Xingcan Chen, Jinming Shi, Yanhua Song PLOS One 2026 10.1371/journal.pone.0346767 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0346767 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0346767&type=printable Studies artefacts from two Upper Palaeolithic localities of the Shizitan site on the North China Loess Plateau, dated 28,000 to 18,000 cal BP and spanning the Last Glacial Maximum, for evidence of fibre working. Using microfossils (microfibres, phytoliths and fungi), usewear on stone tools, ethnographic observation and experiment, the authors identify microremains of hemp and flax and reconstruct possible stages of bast-fibre production, from cutting stalks and retting to pounding and scraping. Coloured fibres suggest to them that plant dyes and hematite were used. The identification rests on microremains and usewear, not ancient DNA, and hemp appears alongside flax. China