古代碓演变考

碓是古代重要的水稻加工工具。其雏形为杵臼,历经踏碓、畜力碓、水碓(槽碓)、连机水碓、碓磨综合体发展阶段;呈现形制复杂化、功能多样化、高效率发展特点;其技术由传统粮食作物区向少数民族地区流传,促进传统农业发展。其中,水碓是古人合理充分运用水能的典范,作为一种兼具审美价值的物质资源,在现代社会仍有着重大的开发利用价值。

Research on the Evolution of Water-Powered Pestles in Ancient Times

Water-powered pestle was an important tool for rice processing in ancient times. Starting from Chu Jiu(mortar and pestle), it had gone through many development stages, such as man-powered pestles, animal-powered pestles, waterpowered pestles(pestles with troughs), machine-powered pestles and pestle-mill complexes. Water-powered pestle was characterized by complicated shape and structure, diversified functions and high efficiency, whose techniques were spread from areas of traditional grain and crops to areas of ethnic minority, promoting the development of traditional agriculture. The water-powered pestle was an example of ancient people’s rational and full use of water energy. As a material resource with aesthetic value, the water-powered pestle still has great development and utilization value in modern society.