20世紀80年代，考古(gu)學家塔(ta)水河村發(fa)掘出塔(ta)水河遺址，由此將(jiang)晉城(cheng)有人類活動(dong)的歷(li)史向前(qian)推溯至舊石器時代。
1985年(nian)-1987年(nian)，陳哲英研究員對塔(ta)水河(he)遺址進行了(le)調查和試(shi)掘(jue)，并于(yu)1989年(nian)發(fa)表了(le)試(shi)掘(jue)報告，根(gen)據(ju)發(fa)掘(jue)者提供的骨化石(shi)標本測定的年(nian)代為26000年(nian)前。
1987年(nian)夏-1988年(nian)秋，山西省考古(gu)研(yan)究所對(dui)塔水河遺址(zhi)進行(xing)試(shi)掘，出土大量的(de)打制石器、動物骨骼(ge)化石和(he)人類(lei)頭(tou)蓋(gai)骨化石，塔水河遺址(zhi)的(de)文物性質被確定。
塔水河(he)遺址(zhi)是一處(chu)巖(yan)洞類型的巖(yan)棚(peng)遺址(zhi)，巖(yan)棚(peng)距地(di)面(mian)(mian)約2-3米高(gao)，長約30多(duo)米，寬約10米，上部伸出，底部后縮，形如房屋的出檐，前面(mian)(mian)有山，下(xia)面(mian)(mian)是條河(he)，在(zai)巖(yan)棚(peng)下(xia)堆積著11米厚的文(wen)物遺存。
塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河遺(yi)(yi)址的(de)石(shi)制品(pin)具有(you)以(yi)下(xia)(xia)特(te)點：石(shi)制品(pin)原料以(yi)燧石(shi)為主(zhu)。基(ji)本采用(yong)錘擊法，間或采用(yong)砸擊法；石(shi)核、石(shi)片(pian)多(duo)不規則，而(er)(er)且體積都比(bi)較(jiao)(jiao)小(xiao)；經石(shi)片(pian)石(shi)器(qi)(qi)為主(zhu)；石(shi)器(qi)(qi)類(lei)型較(jiao)(jiao)簡單，尖(jian)狀器(qi)(qi)可(ke)以(yi)說(shuo)是塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河石(shi)制品(pin)中(zhong)的(de)代表(biao)性(xing)(xing)器(qi)(qi)物；加工以(yi)單邊單向修(xiu)(xiu)理(li)為主(zhu)。塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河石(shi)器(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)的(de)性(xing)(xing)質(zhi)是明顯(xian)的(de)，它既有(you)自己鮮明的(de)特(te)點，又有(you)與中(zhong)國華北地(di)(di)區舊石(shi)器(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)的(de)密切聯(lian)系(xi)，從文(wen)化(hua)(hua)的(de)總體面(mian)貌(mao)來說(shuo)，塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河與西(xi)候(hou)度、匼河等地(di)(di)點的(de)關系(xi)似(si)乎甚遠，而(er)(er)與許(xu)家窯、峙峪、下(xia)(xia)川等地(di)(di)點的(de)關系(xi)較(jiao)(jiao)為接近。塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河與小(xiao)南(nan)(nan)海相(xiang)(xiang)比(bi)，雖原料大(da)致相(xiang)(xiang)同，類(lei)型和(he)器(qi)(qi)形(xing)的(de)大(da)小(xiao)有(you)許(xu)多(duo)相(xiang)(xiang)似(si)之處，但小(xiao)南(nan)(nan)海文(wen)化(hua)(hua)中(zhong)細(xi)(xi)小(xiao)石(shi)核和(he)窄長小(xiao)石(shi)片(pian)，有(you)類(lei)似(si)細(xi)(xi)石(shi)器(qi)(qi)的(de)遺(yi)(yi)存(cun)。而(er)(er)塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河還未見到這類(lei)細(xi)(xi)小(xiao)石(shi)核和(he)窄長小(xiao)石(shi)片(pian)。個別標本上雖有(you)淺長條痕(hen)，但是沒有(you)理(li)由說(shuo)明塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河的(de)實制品(pin)中(zhong)已(yi)使用(yong)了間接制作技術。并(bing)且在(zai)塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河也沒有(you)見到有(you)交互打(da)擊和(he)修(xiu)(xiu)理(li)臺面(mian)的(de)制品(pin)，更沒有(you)見到裝飾品(pin)。由此，可(ke)推斷塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河的(de)石(shi)器(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)晚于(yu)峙峪、早(zao)于(yu)下(xia)(xia)川，可(ke)能(neng)和(he)小(xiao)南(nan)(nan)海下(xia)(xia)部底層（22150±500年）的(de)年代相(xiang)(xiang)當。塔(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)河遺(yi)(yi)址和(he)小(xiao)南(nan)(nan)海遺(yi)(yi)填很可(ke)能(neng)是分屬(shu)于(yu)太行山(shan)麓的(de)兩種不同性(xing)(xing)質(zhi)的(de)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)。
塔水河遺址發(fa)掘(jue)出(chu)土了1個人類頭蓋骨化(hua)(hua)石(shi)及大量的(de)動物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)，以及各種石(shi)制品、燒骨等(deng)2000多件，還發(fa)現有大量的(de)破碎骨片及灰(hui)燼(jin)層。
塔水河(he)遺址石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品中(zhong)大部分是(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)，還有(you)(you)(you)相(xiang)(xiang)當(dang)數量(liang)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)人(ren)工(gong)(gong)(gong)痕跡的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)“廢塊(kuai)”和(he)“廢片(pian)(pian)”具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)完整片(pian)(pian)疤的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核不(bu)多(duo)。可以作為(wei)第二步(bu)加(jia)工(gong)(gong)(gong)成(cheng)器(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)標本(ben)約有(you)(you)(you)300余(yu)件(jian)，占(zhan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品總數的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)15%左右(you)。原料(liao)以黑色燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)為(wei)主，其(qi)它(ta)還有(you)(you)(you)變質灰巖、脈(mo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英(ying)、水晶等(deng)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品體積都比(bi)較小(xiao)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核均不(bu)典型，也很不(bu)規則。其(qi)中(zhong)一件(jian)像(xiang)是(shi)(shi)形(xing)成(cheng)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)半錐狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)中(zhong)除幾(ji)件(jian)砸擊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)外，都是(shi)(shi)直(zhi)接打擊產生(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。刮削器(qi)是(shi)(shi)數量(liang)多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一類器(qi)物。由于(yu)(yu)加(jia)工(gong)(gong)(gong)方式的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)部位不(bu)同，使得刮削器(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)形(xing)式繁(fan)多(duo)。既有(you)(you)(you)單刃(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)，又(you)有(you)(you)(you)兩(liang)邊(bian)刃(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)，還有(you)(you)(you)多(duo)邊(bian)刃(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)，刃(ren)(ren)有(you)(you)(you)直(zhi)刃(ren)(ren)、凹刃(ren)(ren)、凸刃(ren)(ren)之分；有(you)(you)(you)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)還是(shi)(shi)不(bu)同形(xing)式的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)組合(he)。尖狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)器(qi)是(shi)(shi)一種(zhong)將相(xiang)(xiang)鄰兩(liang)邊(bian)修(xiu)理(li)相(xiang)(xiang)交(jiao)成(cheng)尖的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)工(gong)(gong)(gong)具(ju)。它(ta)本(ben)身(shen)既有(you)(you)(you)尖的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)特點(dian)又(you)有(you)(you)(you)刃(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)性質。尖和(he)刃(ren)(ren)幾(ji)乎是(shi)(shi)同時形(xing)成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)，其(qi)中(zhong)一件(jian)是(shi)(shi)從劈裂面(mian)于(yu)(yu)巖面(mian)相(xiang)(xiang)交(jiao)后所形(xing)成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)“復合(he)面(mian)”的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兩(liang)邊(bian)向背面(mian)修(xiu)整的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。加(jia)工(gong)(gong)(gong)細致，左右(you)對稱(cheng)，刃(ren)(ren)緣整齊，底端略平。整個器(qi)形(xing)呈箭鏃(zu)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)，顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)特別周正(zheng)。幾(ji)件(jian)錐鉆均是(shi)(shi)將石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)兩(liang)邊(bian)成(cheng)相(xiang)(xiang)反方向修(xiu)理(li)相(xiang)(xiang)交(jiao)而成(cheng)。
塔水(shui)河遺(yi)址出土的(de)(de)(de)18件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)中(zhong)(zhong)，原料均(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)黑(hei)色(se)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)12件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)原始狀(zhuang)態為(wei)(wei)(wei)板狀(zhuang)，即(ji)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)及(ji)其(qi)相對(dui)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)組(zu)節理面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)平(ping)均(jun)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)2.9×3.9×2.7（厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)），最(zui)(zui)大(da)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)件(jian)標(biao)本為(wei)(wei)(wei)LTP560，尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)3×6.6×3.8（厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)），最(zui)(zui)小的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)件(jian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)LTP567，尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)1.4×3.3×2.6（厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)）。臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角最(zui)(zui)大(da)者(zhe)85°，最(zui)(zui)小者(zhe)62°，平(ping)均(jun)70.7°，多數(shu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)仍(reng)有進(jin)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)步剝片(pian)的(de)(de)(de)可(ke)能性，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)比(bi)最(zui)(zui)大(da)的(de)(de)(de)達90%，最(zui)(zui)小的(de)(de)(de)只占(zhan)10%，平(ping)均(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)51.9%，18件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)中(zhong)(zhong)共有臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)28個(ge)(ge)，多數(shu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)為(wei)(wei)(wei)單臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，最(zui)(zui)多的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)有4個(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，平(ping)均(jun)每個(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)有1.6個(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)18個(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)節理面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，2個(ge)(ge)為(wei)(wei)(wei)自(zi)然(ran)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，6個(ge)(ge)為(wei)(wei)(wei)打(da)(da)擊臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)工(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)32個(ge)(ge)，平(ping)均(jun)每個(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)1.8個(ge)(ge)工(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)體上(shang)遺(yi)留的(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)有57個(ge)(ge)，平(ping)均(jun)每個(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)有3.2個(ge)(ge)，片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)的(de)(de)(de)形(xing)態多為(wei)(wei)(wei)梯形(xing)，打(da)(da)擊點(dian)清楚的(de)(de)(de)有11個(ge)(ge)，比(bi)較清楚的(de)(de)(de)有39個(ge)(ge)，不(bu)(bu)清楚的(de)(de)(de)有7個(ge)(ge)，但(dan)半錐體陰痕皆不(bu)(bu)清楚，個(ge)(ge)別的(de)(de)(de)可(ke)見到同心波紋，放(fang)射線痕均(jun)不(bu)(bu)清楚。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)大(da)小測量(liang)統計(ji)表測量(liang)統計(ji)項目(mu)長度(du)寬(kuan)度(du)厚度(du)小值1.41.71.1，大(da)值4.894.2，平(ping)均(jun)值2.93.92.7，標(biao)準(zhun)偏差值0.91.70.9。標(biao)本LTP573臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)近(jin)圓形(xing)，自(zi)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)前(qian)緣向后緣有兩個(ge)(ge)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)及(ji)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)些碎疤(ba)(ba)，工(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)上(shang)遺(yi)有一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)完(wan)整的(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，和一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)些不(bu)(bu)成功的(de)(de)(de)打(da)(da)擊疤(ba)(ba)痕，臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角80°，工(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)(ba)痕與臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)后緣的(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然(ran)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)在(zai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)底部形(xing)成一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)橫(heng)脊，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)3×4.3×3.3（厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)）。標(biao)本LTP575石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)50%左右的(de)(de)(de)表面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)節理面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，從遺(yi)留在(zai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)表面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)情況來看(kan)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)原來的(de)(de)(de)毛坯為(wei)(wei)(wei)兩組(zu)節理面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)圍成的(de)(de)(de)斷塊，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)右側有兩個(ge)(ge)交互打(da)(da)擊的(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)(ba)痕，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)由前(qian)向后的(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，可(ke)能是為(wei)(wei)(wei)了求得合理的(de)(de)(de)臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角，存臺(tai)(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角70°，工(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)保留了兩塊片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)分別為(wei)(wei)(wei)4.1×4×2（厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)） 。
塔水(shui)河遺(yi)址(zhi)翔(xiang)實地(di)記錄著(zhu)舊(jiu)石器(qi)時(shi)代“塔水(shui)河人(ren)”的(de)(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)活信息，塔水(shui)河遺(yi)址(zhi)值得(de)思考(kao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)是(shi)它的(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)理(li)位置，坐北朝南，背風聚(ju)氣(qi)，雖然隱藏在高(gao)山(shan)峽谷之間，但卻面(mian)朝一個較(jiao)為寬闊的(de)(de)(de)(de)峽谷谷口，即使在日照較(jiao)少的(de)(de)(de)(de)冬(dong)天，也(ye)可(ke)以享受(shou)到充足的(de)(de)(de)(de)陽光，而嚴(yan)冬(dong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)干冷西北風，則被阻(zu)擋在高(gao)高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)瑪朗(lang)山(shan)后，海拔相對(dui)較(jiao)低(di)，氣(qi)候(hou)溫暖，有(you)著(zhu)很多的(de)(de)(de)(de)野生(sheng)動植(zhi)物，對(dui)于(yu)以采集(ji)、狩獵獲取食物的(de)(de)(de)(de)古人(ren)類(lei)(lei)來說，瑪朗(lang)山(shan)就是(shi)他(ta)們(men)天然的(de)(de)(de)(de)食品庫，塔水(shui)河是(shi)他(ta)們(men)的(de)(de)(de)(de)飲(yin)水(shui)源，而巖棚(peng)是(shi)他(ta)們(men)的(de)(de)(de)(de)棲(qi)息地(di)。舊(jiu)石器(qi)時(shi)代古人(ren)類(lei)(lei)出于(yu)本能的(de)(de)(de)(de)選擇包(bao)含著(zhu)許(xu)多的(de)(de)(de)(de)合理(li)性，依山(shan)傍水(shui)，負陰抱(bao)陽，避(bi)風聚(ju)氣(qi)，易于(yu)生(sheng)活。這(zhe)也(ye)是(shi)塔水(shui)河遺(yi)址(zhi)區別于(yu)同時(shi)期同類(lei)(lei)遺(yi)址(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)大特征和(he)文物價值所在。
2006年5月25日(ri)，塔水(shui)河遺址被中華人民(min)共和國國務院公布為(wei)第六批全國重(zhong)點文物(wu)保護單位。
2007年(nian)10月，山(shan)西省人民政府為了貫徹落實(shi)《國(guo)(guo)務(wu)院關(guan)于開展第(di)(di)三次(ci)全(quan)國(guo)(guo)文(wen)物(wu)(wu)普查(cha)(cha)的通知》（國(guo)(guo)發〔2007〕9號）精神，根據(ju)國(guo)(guo)家文(wen)物(wu)(wu)局(ju)《第(di)(di)三次(ci)全(quan)國(guo)(guo)文(wen)物(wu)(wu)普查(cha)(cha)實(shi)施方案》，制訂(ding)《山(shan)西省第(di)(di)三次(ci)全(quan)國(guo)(guo)文(wen)物(wu)(wu)普查(cha)(cha)實(shi)施方案》。
塔水(shui)河遺(yi)址(zhi)和小(xiao)南海遺(yi)址(zhi)很可能是(shi)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代中期(qi)(qi)的(de)代表，屬(shu)丁村(cun)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)，后期(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)分布(bu)范圍擴大，幾乎(hu)遍布(bu)黃(huang)土(tu)高(gao)(gao)原，在蒙古高(gao)(gao)原和華(hua)北平(ping)原的(de)發(fa)(fa)現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)日益增多(duo)，還延伸到(dao)黑龍江、嫩江、青藏高(gao)(gao)原、華(hua)南地(di)(di)(di)區(qu)、臺灣。顯著(zhu)特(te)點(dian)是(shi)形成了(le)不同的(de)技(ji)術(shu)風格。華(hua)北有(you)明顯的(de)兩(liang)大系(xi)統(tong)：以(yi)大型(xing)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)為(wei)(wei)特(te)征(zheng)的(de)“河——丁村(cun)系(xi)”；以(yi)小(xiao)型(xing)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)為(wei)(wei)特(te)征(zheng)的(de)“周口店第(di)1地(di)(di)(di)點(dian)——峙峪(yu)系(xi)”。二者在打制(zhi)技(ji)術(shu)和器(qi)(qi)(qi)型(xing)上(shang)各(ge)具(ju)(ju)特(te)色(se)，形成鮮明對照。蒙古高(gao)(gao)原上(shang)的(de)水(shui)洞溝文(wen)化(hua)(hua)呈現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)出不同于中國傳(chuan)(chuan)統(tong)，卻類似于西歐(ou)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)的(de)特(te)點(dian)。華(hua)南的(de)遺(yi)址(zhi)則更多(duo)地(di)(di)(di)表現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)出區(qu)域地(di)(di)(di)方(fang)(fang)特(te)色(se)。這時(shi)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)進入了(le)空前繁榮階段。石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)進步，出現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)了(le)典(dian)型(xing)的(de)細(xi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)；器(qi)(qi)(qi)型(xing)多(duo)樣化(hua)(hua)，擁有(you)各(ge)種(zhong)(zhong)各(ge)樣的(de)刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi)、尖(jian)狀器(qi)(qi)(qi)、雕刻器(qi)(qi)(qi)、錐(zhui)、鋸等，個別還出現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)箭頭、復合工(gong)(gong)具(ju)(ju)；掌(zhang)握了(le)骨(gu)、角(jiao)材料的(de)特(te)性，采用鋸、切、削、磨、鉆等專門(men)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)精心(xin)制(zhi)作了(le)骨(gu)針、魚叉(cha)、骨(gu)錐(zhui)、骨(gu)刀、角(jiao)鏟等；裝(zhuang)飾品(pin)的(de)出現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)，反映了(le)先進的(de)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)水(shui)平(ping)和日益豐富的(de)精神生活(huo)。中國舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)以(yi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片工(gong)(gong)具(ju)(ju)為(wei)(wei)主要工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)傳(chuan)(chuan)統(tong)，但從舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代早期(qi)(qi)起就已出現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)南北兩(liang)個大的(de)區(qu)域特(te)征(zheng)，并且又都呈現(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)出多(duo)樣性，存(cun)在著(zhu)不同的(de)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)類型(xing)。到(dao)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代晚期(qi)(qi)，南、北方(fang)(fang)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)差別更明顯，北方(fang)(fang)的(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)繼續(xu)向著(zhu)小(xiao)型(xing)化(hua)(hua)方(fang)(fang)向發(fa)(fa)展(zhan)，南方(fang)(fang)的(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)則一種(zhong)(zhong)是(shi)向小(xiao)型(xing)化(hua)(hua)發(fa)(fa)展(zhan)，另一種(zhong)(zhong)還保留了(le)大型(xing)化(hua)(hua)的(de)傳(chuan)(chuan)統(tong)。
虎(hu)頭(tou)梁型的細(xi)石器文化主要(yao)起源于(yu)(yu)西伯利亞(ya)一(yi)帶，西伯利亞(ya)也是(shi)它的主要(yao)分布區域，在中國(guo)，其分布范圍僅限于(yu)(yu)泥河灣盆地(di)等(deng)少(shao)數(shu)地(di)區；而下(xia)川型的細(xi)石器文化則(ze)可能起源于(yu)(yu)華(hua)北(bei)地(di)區，分布范圍遍及(ji)華(hua)北(bei)、華(hua)南(nan)甚至西南(nan)地(di)區。
我心明亮 
