論龜山遺址出土穿孔人齒的意義

The Significance of Perforated Human Teeth Unearthed from Kuei-shan Site, Near the Southern Tip of Taiwan

張光直先生於一九五七年發表〈圓山出土的一顆人齒〉後，事隔將近半世紀，二十餘穎的穿孔人齒出現在距今一千五百年前龜山史前文化的複體墓葬中。根據齒位的判認，第二門齒出現比率最高，第一門齒次之，犬齒最少。基本上與臺灣土著族群的拔齒風俗不相符合。從製作穿孔人齒的工藝技術來看，研磨和鑽孔是兩項最主要的工序。不同於圓山出土人齒的鑽孔方式，龜山穿孔人齒利用軟性燧石之實心鑽打製而成。兩顆未成年牙齒的出現，可能反映當時獵頭的目標亦包括未成年者。就配戴者的性別推斷，不只是男性，也包括女性和未成年者。因此，作者認為，穿孔人齒的最大用意並非在表彰個人武勇威猛的行為；無疑也代表一項相當珍貴的藝術品。

In 1954, a human incisor with a hole drilled through its root was discovered from the Yuan Shan Shell Mound in Taipei. Using ethnographic materials and early Chinese historical documents as support, K. C. Chang, postulated that the incisor was evidence that head hunting could have been practiced in Taiwan as early as 1600-1000 B.C. Recent archaeological excavations of three burials at Kuei Shan, near the southern tip of Taiwan, have uncovered new evidence to support Dr. Chang's postulation. The burials, radiocarbon dated to 1500 B.P., contain more than 20 human teeth with holes drilled through their roots. In addition to being drilled, the teeth also exhibit evidence of being altered or shaped by cutting and filing. However, this is author's opinion, the perforated human teeth were not only to proof of personal courage, but were also recognized as valuable works of art.