駱駝墩(dun)(dun)(dun)遺(yi)址(zhi)出現約在7000到(dao)5000年前(qian),是一處重要(yao)的(de)新(xin)(xin)(xin)石器(qi)時(shi)代遺(yi)址(zhi)。同時(shi),駱駝墩(dun)(dun)(dun)一直(zhi)也(ye)是太湖流域新(xin)(xin)(xin)石器(qi)時(shi)代文化(hua)的(de)發源地。太湖是在新(xin)(xin)(xin)石器(qi)時(shi)代中期形成(cheng)的(de),而駱駝墩(dun)(dun)(dun)文化(hua)早(zao)可以(yi)追(zhui)溯到(dao)新(xin)(xin)(xin)石器(qi)時(shi)代晚期前(qian)段(duan)。
1959年,南京博物院(yuan)和宜興市文物管理委(wei)員會聯合(he)對駱駝墩遺址(zhi)進(jin)行第1次探掘。
1962年(nian),南京博物(wu)院和宜興(xing)市文物(wu)管理委員會聯合對(dui)駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩(dun)遺址(zhi)進(jin)行試掘。
2001年(nian)11月—2002年(nian)7月,南京博物院和宜興市文(wen)物管理委員會聯合對駱駝墩遺址進(jin)行考古發掘,發掘面積1309平方米。
駱(luo)駝墩遺址占地(di)面(mian)(mian)積(ji)約(yue)25萬平(ping)方(fang)米,文化堆積(ji)厚度平(ping)均約(yue)為3米。駱(luo)駝墩遺址分南(nan)北(bei)2個(ge)區(qu)(qu),兩(liang)區(qu)(qu)相隔約(yue)500米。南(nan)區(qu)(qu)在俗稱(cheng)“駱(luo)駝墩”的丘陵(ling)崗地(di),是一高出地(di)面(mian)(mian)約(yue)15米、面(mian)(mian)積(ji)近(jin)5萬平(ping)方(fang)米的土崗;北(bei)區(qu)(qu)在唐南(nan)村北(bei),地(di)表之下(xia)即(ji)為文化層堆積(ji)。北(bei)區(qu)(qu)的西(xi)部、西(xi)北(bei)部、北(bei)部及東北(bei)部有河道(dao)呈半環繞狀,東南(nan)部為平(ping)地(di)。
駱駝墩遺址文化層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)堆積分(fen)(fen)(fen)布(bu)不(bu)均,可(ke)分(fen)(fen)(fen)為(wei)10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)。第(di)(di)1層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)表(biao)(biao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),灰(hui)(hui)黑色,土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)疏松,厚(hou)15-35厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);第(di)(di)2層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)主要分(fen)(fen)(fen)布(bu)于(yu)整個發(fa)掘北(bei)區的(de)(de)(de)中(zhong)部偏(pian)西,為(wei)灰(hui)(hui)白(bai)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)色略(lve)偏(pian)黃(huang),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)中(zhong)夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)有(you)少(shao)量的(de)(de)(de)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆粒(li)(li),地(di)(di)(di)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)年(nian)代為(wei)良渚文化時(shi)期;第(di)(di)3層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)位灰(hui)(hui)黃(huang)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)緊密(mi),距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)20-70厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)25-45厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)雜(za)有(you)較多的(de)(de)(de)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆粒(li)(li);第(di)(di)4層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)青(qing)灰(hui)(hui)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)緊密(mi),距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)50-100厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)10-55厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)雜(za)一(yi)定(ding)數量的(de)(de)(de)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆粒(li)(li);第(di)(di)5層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)則集(ji)中(zhong)分(fen)(fen)(fen)布(bu)于(yu)整個發(fa)掘北(bei)區的(de)(de)(de)東南角,為(wei)灰(hui)(hui)白(bai)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)潮(chao)濕純凈致密(mi);第(di)(di)6層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)位黑土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)松軟,距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)90-100厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)0-40厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi), 主要分(fen)(fen)(fen)布(bu)于(yu)北(bei)T5131、 北(bei)T5132、北(bei)T5135等探方;第(di)(di)7層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)黃(huang)綠土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)緊密(mi)潮(chao)濕,距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)80-165厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)0-60厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)雜(za)一(yi)定(ding)數量的(de)(de)(de)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)塊和(he)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆粒(li)(li);第(di)(di)8層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)綠灰(hui)(hui)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng), 土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)松軟較淤,距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)85-165厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)、厚(hou)0-45厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);第(di)(di)9層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)灰(hui)(hui)黃(huang)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)緊密(mi)細軟,距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)130-200厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)0-65厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);第(di)(di)10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)黑色泥炭層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)致密(mi)潮(chao)濕,為(wei)一(yi)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)泥炭夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)一(yi)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)淤泥,再夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)一(yi)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)泥炭,形成夾(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)心餅干狀的(de)(de)(de)堆積,距(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)135-245厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)15-65厘(li)(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);第(di)(di)10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)下(xia)為(wei)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)致密(mi)純凈的(de)(de)(de)青(qing)黃(huang)色生(sheng)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)。
2001年—2002年,南京(jing)博物院和宜興(xing)市文(wen)(wen)物管理(li)委員會(hui)聯合(he)對駱駝(tuo)墩遺(yi)址進行(xing)考古發(fa)(fa)掘,發(fa)(fa)現(xian)了馬家浜文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)期(qi)的(de)(de)大型聚落遺(yi)址,包括墓(mu)(mu)葬52座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、甕(weng)棺39座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、灰(hui)坑5座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、房(fang)址3座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、大型貝類及螺殼(ke)堆積1處(chu)、祭祀遺(yi)跡4處(chu),其中有(you)(you)甕(weng)棺葬等。另(ling)外,還發(fa)(fa)現(xian)了崧(song)澤文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)期(qi)的(de)(de)墓(mu)(mu)葬1座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、灰(hui)坑2座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo),良渚文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)期(qi)的(de)(de)墓(mu)(mu)葬3座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)、灰(hui)坑3座(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)(zuo),以及廣富林(lin)文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)期(qi)的(de)(de)文(wen)(wen)化堆積等。遺(yi)址內(nei)共(gong)出土了陶器(qi)、石(shi)器(qi)、骨器(qi)、玉器(qi)等約400件(jian),以及各類動物骨骼標本(ben)約2000件(jian)。陶器(qi)器(qi)形有(you)(you)足為側(ce)三角形的(de)(de)鼎、罐、圈(quan)足器(qi)、豆、缽(bo)、釜、 盉(he)等,紋飾多弦紋、交叉刻劃(hua)紋及鏤孔等,陶片有(you)(you)夾砂黑、灰(hui)、褐、紅陶。石(shi)器(qi)有(you)(you)靴形石(shi)刀(dao)等。
駱駝(tuo)(tuo)墩遺址是太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)西(xi)岸(an)(an)重要(yao)的(de)歷(li)史(shi)地理坐標,它的(de)發(fa)現推(tui)動(dong)了(le)(le)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)西(xi)岸(an)(an)文(wen)(wen)明(ming)起(qi)源(yuan)的(de)研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)。同時確立了(le)(le)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)流(liu)域(yu)(yu)新石器文(wen)(wen)化(hua)新的(de)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)類型(xing)——駱駝(tuo)(tuo)墩文(wen)(wen)化(hua)類型(xing)。駱駝(tuo)(tuo)墩遺址為研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)西(xi)部(bu)的(de)史(shi)前文(wen)(wen)化(hua)提供了(le)(le)新材(cai)料,填補了(le)(le)環(huan)(huan)(huan)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)西(xi)部(bu)史(shi)前考古學文(wen)(wen)化(hua)的(de)空白(bai),成功連接(jie)了(le)(le)環(huan)(huan)(huan)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)流(liu)域(yu)(yu)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)圈研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)的(de)缺(que)環(huan)(huan)(huan),證明(ming)了(le)(le)長江(jiang)(jiang)流(liu)域(yu)(yu)是中華民(min)族(zu)文(wen)(wen)明(ming)的(de)起(qi)源(yuan)地之一。為更加深(shen)入(ru)地研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)長江(jiang)(jiang)下游新石器時代(dai)考古學文(wen)(wen)化(hua)的(de)譜系、源(yuan)流(liu)、共存(cun)與交流(liu),研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)馬家浜文(wen)(wen)化(hua)、跨湖(hu)橋遺存(cun)、駱駝(tuo)(tuo)墩文(wen)(wen)化(hua)、河姆渡文(wen)(wen)化(hua)等文(wen)(wen)化(hua)共同體(ti)之間(jian)的(de)關系以及它們所(suo)構(gou)成的(de)史(shi)前文(wen)(wen)化(hua)格局提供了(le)(le)佐(zuo)證,對研(yan)(yan)究(jiu)太(tai)(tai)湖(hu)流(liu)域(yu)(yu)乃至長江(jiang)(jiang)下游古代(dai)文(wen)(wen)明(ming)的(de)進程具有重要(yao)意義。
2003年3月,駱駝墩遺址(zhi)被宜興市人民政府公布為市級(ji)文物保護單位。
2006年5月(yue)25日,駱駝墩(dun)遺址被中華人民共(gong)和國國務院公布為第六批(pi)全(quan)國重點文物保(bao)護單位。
2011年,宜興市人(ren)民(min)政府對駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩遺址制定(ding)了保(bao)護規(gui)劃,規(gui)劃包含圍繞(rao)遺址的生態綠化(hua),設定(ding)駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩遺址保(bao)護范圍與建設控(kong)制地帶,包含管理服務(wu)區、博物(wu)館(guan)陳列展示(shi)區、史前文(wen)化(hua)展示(shi)區、農耕文(wen)化(hua)展示(shi)區與濱水濕地漁獵休閑區。
駱(luo)駝墩(dun)遺址文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)含有相當(dang)于馬家浜文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)時(shi)期的遺存以及崧澤文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)、良渚文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)等多(duo)個時(shi)期的文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)遺存。駱(luo)駝墩(dun)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)和(he)河姆渡文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)、馬家浜文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua),共同開(kai)發了長江下游(you)的環太湖地區,加速了長江下游(you)的文(wen)(wen)(wen)明(ming)化(hua)(hua)進程(cheng),并導(dao)致良渚文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)踏上了文(wen)(wen)(wen)明(ming)時(shi)代(dai)的門檻。