駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩遺(yi)址出(chu)現約在7000到(dao)5000年(nian)前,是(shi)一處(chu)重要的新(xin)石器時(shi)代遺(yi)址。同時(shi),駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩一直也是(shi)太湖(hu)流(liu)域新(xin)石器時(shi)代文(wen)化的發源地。太湖(hu)是(shi)在新(xin)石器時(shi)代中期形成的,而駱(luo)駝(tuo)墩文(wen)化早可以(yi)追溯到(dao)新(xin)石器時(shi)代晚期前段。
1959年,南京(jing)博(bo)物院(yuan)和宜(yi)興(xing)市文(wen)物管(guan)理委員會聯合對駱駝墩遺址進行第1次探掘。
1962年(nian),南(nan)京博物(wu)院和宜(yi)興市文物(wu)管(guan)理委員(yuan)會聯(lian)合對(dui)駱駝墩遺(yi)址(zhi)進(jin)行試掘。
2001年11月—2002年7月,南京(jing)博物院和宜興市文(wen)物管(guan)理委員(yuan)會聯合(he)對駱駝墩(dun)遺址進行考古發(fa)掘,發(fa)掘面積1309平方(fang)米。
駱駝(tuo)墩遺(yi)址占地(di)(di)面積(ji)(ji)約25萬(wan)平方米(mi),文化(hua)堆積(ji)(ji)厚度平均(jun)約為(wei)3米(mi)。駱駝(tuo)墩遺(yi)址分南北(bei)2個區(qu),兩區(qu)相(xiang)隔約500米(mi)。南區(qu)在(zai)俗稱“駱駝(tuo)墩”的丘陵崗地(di)(di),是(shi)一高出地(di)(di)面約15米(mi)、面積(ji)(ji)近5萬(wan)平方米(mi)的土(tu)崗;北(bei)區(qu)在(zai)唐南村北(bei),地(di)(di)表之下即為(wei)文化(hua)層堆積(ji)(ji)。北(bei)區(qu)的西部(bu)、西北(bei)部(bu)、北(bei)部(bu)及東北(bei)部(bu)有河道呈半(ban)環繞狀(zhuang),東南部(bu)為(wei)平地(di)(di)。
駱駝(tuo)墩遺(yi)址文(wen)化層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)堆積分(fen)布(bu)不均,可分(fen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)。第1層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)表(biao)(biao)(biao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),灰黑(hei)(hei)(hei)色(se),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)疏松(song),厚(hou)(hou)15-35厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi);第2層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)主要分(fen)布(bu)于整(zheng)個發掘北區的中(zhong)部(bu)偏西,為(wei)(wei)(wei)灰白土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)色(se)略偏黃(huang)(huang),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)中(zhong)夾(jia)(jia)有少量(liang)(liang)的紅(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆(ke)(ke)粒(li)(li)(li),地(di)(di)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)年(nian)代為(wei)(wei)(wei)良渚文(wen)化時(shi)期;第3層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)位灰黃(huang)(huang)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)緊(jin)密(mi),距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)20-70厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)25-45厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)雜有較多的紅(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆(ke)(ke)粒(li)(li)(li);第4層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)青灰土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)緊(jin)密(mi),距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)50-100厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)10-55厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)雜一定(ding)數量(liang)(liang)的紅(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆(ke)(ke)粒(li)(li)(li);第5層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)則集中(zhong)分(fen)布(bu)于整(zheng)個發掘北區的東南角,為(wei)(wei)(wei)灰白土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)潮濕純凈(jing)(jing)致密(mi);第6層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)位黑(hei)(hei)(hei)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)松(song)軟,距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)90-100厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)0-40厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi), 主要分(fen)布(bu)于北T5131、 北T5132、北T5135等探方;第7層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)黃(huang)(huang)綠土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)緊(jin)密(mi)潮濕,距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)80-165厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)0-60厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),夾(jia)(jia)雜一定(ding)數量(liang)(liang)的紅(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)塊和紅(hong)燒(shao)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)顆(ke)(ke)粒(li)(li)(li);第8層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)綠灰土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng), 土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)松(song)軟較淤,距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)85-165厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)、厚(hou)(hou)0-45厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi);第9層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)灰黃(huang)(huang)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)緊(jin)密(mi)細軟,距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)130-200厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)0-65厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi);第10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)黑(hei)(hei)(hei)色(se)泥(ni)(ni)炭(tan)層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng),土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)致密(mi)潮濕,為(wei)(wei)(wei)一層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)泥(ni)(ni)炭(tan)夾(jia)(jia)一層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)淤泥(ni)(ni),再夾(jia)(jia)一層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)泥(ni)(ni)炭(tan),形成夾(jia)(jia)心(xin)餅(bing)干(gan)狀的堆積,距(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)地(di)(di)表(biao)(biao)(biao)135-245厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),厚(hou)(hou)15-65厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi);第10層(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)(ceng)下為(wei)(wei)(wei)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)質(zhi)(zhi)致密(mi)純凈(jing)(jing)的青黃(huang)(huang)色(se)生(sheng)土(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)。
2001年—2002年,南京博物(wu)院和宜興市文(wen)(wen)物(wu)管(guan)理委員會聯合(he)對駱駝墩(dun)遺址(zhi)進行(xing)考古發(fa)(fa)掘,發(fa)(fa)現了(le)馬家浜(bang)文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)(shi)期(qi)的(de)大(da)型(xing)聚落遺址(zhi),包(bao)括墓(mu)(mu)葬(zang)52座(zuo)、甕棺39座(zuo)、灰(hui)坑(keng)(keng)5座(zuo)、房址(zhi)3座(zuo)、大(da)型(xing)貝類及(ji)螺(luo)殼堆(dui)積1處、祭祀(si)遺跡4處,其中有甕棺葬(zang)等(deng)。另外,還(huan)發(fa)(fa)現了(le)崧澤文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)(shi)期(qi)的(de)墓(mu)(mu)葬(zang)1座(zuo)、灰(hui)坑(keng)(keng)2座(zuo),良渚文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)(shi)期(qi)的(de)墓(mu)(mu)葬(zang)3座(zuo)、灰(hui)坑(keng)(keng)3座(zuo),以(yi)及(ji)廣富林文(wen)(wen)化時(shi)(shi)期(qi)的(de)文(wen)(wen)化堆(dui)積等(deng)。遺址(zhi)內(nei)共出土了(le)陶(tao)器(qi)(qi)、石(shi)器(qi)(qi)、骨器(qi)(qi)、玉器(qi)(qi)等(deng)約400件,以(yi)及(ji)各類動物(wu)骨骼標本(ben)約2000件。陶(tao)器(qi)(qi)器(qi)(qi)形有足(zu)為側三角(jiao)形的(de)鼎、罐、圈足(zu)器(qi)(qi)、豆(dou)、缽、釜、 盉等(deng),紋飾多(duo)弦紋、交叉刻劃紋及(ji)鏤孔(kong)等(deng),陶(tao)片有夾砂黑(hei)、灰(hui)、褐(he)、紅陶(tao)。石(shi)器(qi)(qi)有靴形石(shi)刀等(deng)。
駱駝墩(dun)遺(yi)址(zhi)是太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)西(xi)(xi)岸(an)重要(yao)的(de)歷史地理坐標,它的(de)發現推動了(le)(le)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)西(xi)(xi)岸(an)文(wen)明(ming)(ming)起(qi)源(yuan)的(de)研究(jiu)(jiu)。同時(shi)確立了(le)(le)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)新(xin)石器(qi)文(wen)化新(xin)的(de)文(wen)化類(lei)型——駱駝墩(dun)文(wen)化類(lei)型。駱駝墩(dun)遺(yi)址(zhi)為研究(jiu)(jiu)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)西(xi)(xi)部的(de)史前(qian)文(wen)化提(ti)供了(le)(le)新(xin)材(cai)料,填補(bu)了(le)(le)環(huan)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)西(xi)(xi)部史前(qian)考古學文(wen)化的(de)空(kong)白,成功連接(jie)了(le)(le)環(huan)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)文(wen)化圈研究(jiu)(jiu)的(de)缺(que)環(huan),證明(ming)(ming)了(le)(le)長(chang)江(jiang)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)是中華民族(zu)文(wen)明(ming)(ming)的(de)起(qi)源(yuan)地之(zhi)一。為更加深入地研究(jiu)(jiu)長(chang)江(jiang)下(xia)(xia)游新(xin)石器(qi)時(shi)代考古學文(wen)化的(de)譜系、源(yuan)流(liu)(liu)、共存(cun)與交流(liu)(liu),研究(jiu)(jiu)馬家浜文(wen)化、跨湖(hu)(hu)橋遺(yi)存(cun)、駱駝墩(dun)文(wen)化、河姆渡文(wen)化等文(wen)化共同體(ti)之(zhi)間的(de)關系以及它們所(suo)構成的(de)史前(qian)文(wen)化格局(ju)提(ti)供了(le)(le)佐(zuo)證,對(dui)研究(jiu)(jiu)太(tai)湖(hu)(hu)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)乃至長(chang)江(jiang)下(xia)(xia)游古代文(wen)明(ming)(ming)的(de)進程具有重要(yao)意義(yi)。
2003年3月(yue),駱駝墩遺(yi)址被(bei)宜興(xing)市人(ren)民政府公布為市級文物保護單位(wei)。
2006年(nian)5月25日,駱駝(tuo)墩(dun)遺址被中華人(ren)民共和國國務院公布(bu)為第六批全(quan)國重點文物保護單位(wei)。
2011年(nian),宜(yi)興市(shi)人民政府對駱(luo)駝墩(dun)遺址(zhi)制(zhi)定了保護(hu)規劃,規劃包(bao)含圍(wei)繞遺址(zhi)的(de)生(sheng)態綠化,設(she)定駱(luo)駝墩(dun)遺址(zhi)保護(hu)范(fan)圍(wei)與(yu)建設(she)控制(zhi)地帶,包(bao)含管理服務區(qu)(qu)、博物館陳列展(zhan)(zhan)示區(qu)(qu)、史前文(wen)化展(zhan)(zhan)示區(qu)(qu)、農耕文(wen)化展(zhan)(zhan)示區(qu)(qu)與(yu)濱(bin)水濕地漁獵(lie)休閑區(qu)(qu)。
駱駝(tuo)墩遺址(zhi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)含(han)有相當(dang)于馬家浜(bang)文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)時期的遺存以及崧澤(ze)文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)、良渚文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)等多(duo)個時期的文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)遺存。駱駝(tuo)墩文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)和河姆(mu)渡(du)文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)、馬家浜(bang)文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua),共同(tong)開發(fa)了長(chang)江下游的環太湖地(di)區,加(jia)速了長(chang)江下游的文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)明化(hua)進程,并(bing)導(dao)致良渚文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)踏上(shang)了文(wen)(wen)(wen)(wen)明時代的門檻。