20世(shi)紀80年(nian)代，考古學(xue)家塔(ta)(ta)水河村發掘出(chu)塔(ta)(ta)水河遺址，由此將晉城(cheng)有人類活動的歷史向(xiang)前推溯至舊石器時代。
1985年(nian)(nian)-1987年(nian)(nian)，陳哲英研究員對塔水河遺址進(jin)行了(le)調查和試掘，并于1989年(nian)(nian)發表(biao)了(le)試掘報(bao)告(gao)，根據發掘者提供的(de)骨(gu)化石標(biao)本測(ce)定的(de)年(nian)(nian)代為26000年(nian)(nian)前(qian)。
1987年夏(xia)-1988年秋，山西省(sheng)考古研究所(suo)對塔(ta)水河遺址(zhi)進行試掘，出土(tu)大(da)量的打(da)制石(shi)器(qi)、動物(wu)(wu)骨骼化石(shi)和人類頭蓋骨化石(shi)，塔(ta)水河遺址(zhi)的文物(wu)(wu)性質被確定。
塔水河遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址是(shi)(shi)一處巖(yan)洞類型的(de)巖(yan)棚(peng)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址，巖(yan)棚(peng)距地(di)面(mian)約2-3米(mi)(mi)高，長約30多米(mi)(mi)，寬約10米(mi)(mi)，上(shang)部伸出(chu)，底部后縮，形如(ru)房(fang)屋(wu)的(de)出(chu)檐，前面(mian)有(you)山，下面(mian)是(shi)(shi)條河，在巖(yan)棚(peng)下堆(dui)積著(zhu)11米(mi)(mi)厚的(de)文物遺(yi)(yi)(yi)存。
塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)遺(yi)址的(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品(pin)(pin)具有(you)以(yi)下(xia)特點(dian)：石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品(pin)(pin)原料(liao)以(yi)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)為主(zhu)。基本采(cai)用錘擊法，間或采(cai)用砸擊法；石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)多不規則(ze)，而且體積(ji)都比(bi)(bi)較(jiao)小；經石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)為主(zhu)；石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)類(lei)型(xing)較(jiao)簡單(dan)，尖(jian)狀(zhuang)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)可以(yi)說是(shi)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品(pin)(pin)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)代表性器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)物(wu)；加工以(yi)單(dan)邊(bian)單(dan)向(xiang)修理(li)為主(zhu)。塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)文化(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)性質(zhi)是(shi)明(ming)(ming)顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)，它既有(you)自己鮮明(ming)(ming)的(de)(de)(de)(de)特點(dian)，又有(you)與中(zhong)國(guo)華北地區舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)文化(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)密切聯系(xi)，從文化(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)總體面貌來說，塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)與西候度、匼河(he)(he)等地點(dian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)關系(xi)似(si)(si)乎甚遠，而與許家(jia)窯(yao)、峙峪、下(xia)川等地點(dian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)關系(xi)較(jiao)為接(jie)近。塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)與小南(nan)海(hai)(hai)相比(bi)(bi)，雖原料(liao)大致相同，類(lei)型(xing)和(he)(he)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)形的(de)(de)(de)(de)大小有(you)許多相似(si)(si)之處，但小南(nan)海(hai)(hai)文化(hua)(hua)中(zhong)細(xi)小石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核和(he)(he)窄(zhai)長(chang)小石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)，有(you)類(lei)似(si)(si)細(xi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)遺(yi)存(cun)。而塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)還未見(jian)到(dao)(dao)這類(lei)細(xi)小石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核和(he)(he)窄(zhai)長(chang)小石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)。個別標本上雖有(you)淺長(chang)條痕，但是(shi)沒(mei)有(you)理(li)由說明(ming)(ming)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)實制(zhi)(zhi)品(pin)(pin)中(zhong)已使用了間接(jie)制(zhi)(zhi)作技(ji)術。并且在塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)也沒(mei)有(you)見(jian)到(dao)(dao)有(you)交互打擊和(he)(he)修理(li)臺(tai)面的(de)(de)(de)(de)制(zhi)(zhi)品(pin)(pin)，更沒(mei)有(you)見(jian)到(dao)(dao)裝(zhuang)飾(shi)品(pin)(pin)。由此，可推(tui)斷(duan)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)文化(hua)(hua)晚于峙峪、早于下(xia)川，可能和(he)(he)小南(nan)海(hai)(hai)下(xia)部底層（22150±500年）的(de)(de)(de)(de)年代相當(dang)。塔(ta)(ta)(ta)水(shui)(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)遺(yi)址和(he)(he)小南(nan)海(hai)(hai)遺(yi)填很可能是(shi)分屬(shu)于太行山麓的(de)(de)(de)(de)兩種不同性質(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)文化(hua)(hua)。
塔(ta)水河(he)遺址發(fa)掘出土了1個人類頭蓋骨化石及(ji)大量的動物化石，以及(ji)各種石制(zhi)品、燒(shao)骨等2000多件，還發(fa)現有大量的破(po)碎骨片及(ji)灰燼(jin)層。
塔水河遺址(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品中(zhong)大部分(fen)是(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)，還有(you)(you)(you)(you)相當數量具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)人工(gong)(gong)痕跡的(de)(de)(de)“廢塊”和“廢片(pian)”具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)完整(zheng)(zheng)片(pian)疤的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)核不(bu)(bu)多(duo)。可以(yi)作為第二步加(jia)(jia)工(gong)(gong)成(cheng)器(qi)的(de)(de)(de)標本(ben)約有(you)(you)(you)(you)300余件，占石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品總數的(de)(de)(de)15%左右。原料以(yi)黑色燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)為主，其它還有(you)(you)(you)(you)變質(zhi)灰巖、脈石(shi)(shi)(shi)英、水晶等(deng)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品體積(ji)都(dou)比較小，石(shi)(shi)(shi)核均不(bu)(bu)典(dian)型，也很不(bu)(bu)規則。其中(zhong)一件像是(shi)形(xing)(xing)(xing)成(cheng)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)半錐(zhui)狀(zhuang)石(shi)(shi)(shi)核。石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)中(zhong)除幾(ji)件砸擊(ji)(ji)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)外(wai)，都(dou)是(shi)直接打擊(ji)(ji)產生的(de)(de)(de)。刮削器(qi)是(shi)數量多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)一類器(qi)物。由于(yu)加(jia)(jia)工(gong)(gong)方式(shi)的(de)(de)(de)部位不(bu)(bu)同，使(shi)得刮削器(qi)的(de)(de)(de)形(xing)(xing)(xing)式(shi)繁多(duo)。既(ji)有(you)(you)(you)(you)單刃(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)，又有(you)(you)(you)(you)兩邊刃(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)，還有(you)(you)(you)(you)多(duo)邊刃(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)，刃(ren)(ren)(ren)有(you)(you)(you)(you)直刃(ren)(ren)(ren)、凹刃(ren)(ren)(ren)、凸(tu)刃(ren)(ren)(ren)之(zhi)分(fen)；有(you)(you)(you)(you)的(de)(de)(de)還是(shi)不(bu)(bu)同形(xing)(xing)(xing)式(shi)的(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)組合(he)。尖(jian)狀(zhuang)器(qi)是(shi)一種將相鄰(lin)兩邊修理(li)相交(jiao)成(cheng)尖(jian)的(de)(de)(de)工(gong)(gong)具(ju)。它本(ben)身既(ji)有(you)(you)(you)(you)尖(jian)的(de)(de)(de)特點又有(you)(you)(you)(you)刃(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)性(xing)質(zhi)。尖(jian)和刃(ren)(ren)(ren)幾(ji)乎是(shi)同時形(xing)(xing)(xing)成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)，其中(zhong)一件是(shi)從劈裂面于(yu)巖面相交(jiao)后所形(xing)(xing)(xing)成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)“復(fu)合(he)面”的(de)(de)(de)兩邊向背面修整(zheng)(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)。加(jia)(jia)工(gong)(gong)細致，左右對稱(cheng)，刃(ren)(ren)(ren)緣整(zheng)(zheng)齊，底端略平(ping)。整(zheng)(zheng)個器(qi)形(xing)(xing)(xing)呈箭鏃狀(zhuang)，顯的(de)(de)(de)特別周正(zheng)。幾(ji)件錐(zhui)鉆均是(shi)將石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)兩邊成(cheng)相反方向修理(li)相交(jiao)而成(cheng)。
塔(ta)水河(he)遺(yi)址(zhi)出土的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)18件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，原(yuan)料均(jun)(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)黑色(se)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)12件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)原(yuan)始狀態為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)板狀，即臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)及其(qi)相對(dui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)組節(jie)理(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)平均(jun)(jun)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)2.9×3.9×2.7（厘米），最(zui)大(da)(da)一(yi)(yi)(yi)件(jian)標(biao)本為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)LTP560，尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)3×6.6×3.8（厘米），最(zui)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)件(jian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)LTP567，尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)1.4×3.3×2.6（厘米）。臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角(jiao)最(zui)大(da)(da)者85°，最(zui)小(xiao)者62°，平均(jun)(jun)70.7°，多數石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)仍有(you)(you)進(jin)一(yi)(yi)(yi)步剝片(pian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)可能(neng)性(xing)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)比最(zui)大(da)(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)達90%，最(zui)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)只占10%，平均(jun)(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)51.9%，18件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)共有(you)(you)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)28個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，多數石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)單臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，最(zui)多的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)有(you)(you)4個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，平均(jun)(jun)每(mei)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)有(you)(you)1.6個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)18個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)節(jie)理(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，2個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，6個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)打(da)(da)擊(ji)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)32個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，平均(jun)(jun)每(mei)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)1.8個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)體上遺(yi)留(liu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)有(you)(you)57個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，平均(jun)(jun)每(mei)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)有(you)(you)3.2個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)形(xing)態多為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)梯形(xing)，打(da)(da)擊(ji)點清(qing)楚的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)11個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，比較(jiao)清(qing)楚的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)39個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，不(bu)(bu)清(qing)楚的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)7個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)，但半錐體陰痕(hen)(hen)皆(jie)不(bu)(bu)清(qing)楚，個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)別的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)可見到同心波紋，放射(she)線痕(hen)(hen)均(jun)(jun)不(bu)(bu)清(qing)楚。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)大(da)(da)小(xiao)測量統(tong)計表(biao)測量統(tong)計項目長度寬度厚度小(xiao)值(zhi)1.41.71.1，大(da)(da)值(zhi)4.894.2，平均(jun)(jun)值(zhi)2.93.92.7，標(biao)準(zhun)偏差值(zhi)0.91.70.9。標(biao)本LTP573臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)近圓形(xing)，自(zi)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)前緣(yuan)向后(hou)緣(yuan)有(you)(you)兩(liang)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)及一(yi)(yi)(yi)些(xie)碎疤(ba)(ba)，工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)上遺(yi)有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)完整(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，和一(yi)(yi)(yi)些(xie)不(bu)(bu)成(cheng)功的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)打(da)(da)擊(ji)疤(ba)(ba)痕(hen)(hen)，臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角(jiao)80°，工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)(ba)痕(hen)(hen)與臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)后(hou)緣(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)在石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)底部形(xing)成(cheng)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)橫脊，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)(cun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)3×4.3×3.3（厘米）。標(biao)本LTP575石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)50%左右(you)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)表(biao)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)節(jie)理(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)，從遺(yi)留(liu)在石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)表(biao)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)情況來(lai)看，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)原(yuan)來(lai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)毛坯為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)兩(liang)組節(jie)理(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)圍成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)斷塊(kuai)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)右(you)側有(you)(you)兩(liang)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)交互打(da)(da)擊(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)(ba)痕(hen)(hen)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)由(you)前向后(hou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，可能(neng)是為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)了求得合理(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角(jiao)，存臺(tai)(tai)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)角(jiao)70°，工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)面(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)(mian)保留(liu)了兩(liang)塊(kuai)片(pian)疤(ba)(ba)，石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核(he)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尺寸(cun)(cun)(cun)(cun)分別為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)4.1×4×2（厘米） 。
塔水(shui)(shui)(shui)河遺址翔(xiang)實地記錄著(zhu)舊石器時代(dai)“塔水(shui)(shui)(shui)河人(ren)(ren)”的生(sheng)活信息，塔水(shui)(shui)(shui)河遺址值得思(si)考的是(shi)(shi)它的地理(li)(li)位置，坐北(bei)朝南，背風聚(ju)氣(qi)(qi)，雖然隱(yin)藏(zang)在高(gao)(gao)山峽谷之(zhi)間，但卻面朝一個較(jiao)為寬闊的峽谷谷口(kou)，即使在日照較(jiao)少的冬天，也可以享受到(dao)充足的陽光(guang)，而嚴冬的干冷西北(bei)風，則(ze)被阻擋在高(gao)(gao)高(gao)(gao)的瑪朗(lang)山后(hou)，海拔相對較(jiao)低，氣(qi)(qi)候溫暖(nuan)，有(you)著(zhu)很(hen)多的野(ye)生(sheng)動植物(wu)(wu)，對于以采集(ji)、狩獵(lie)獲取(qu)食物(wu)(wu)的古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類來說，瑪朗(lang)山就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)他(ta)(ta)們(men)天然的食品庫(ku)，塔水(shui)(shui)(shui)河是(shi)(shi)他(ta)(ta)們(men)的飲水(shui)(shui)(shui)源(yuan)，而巖棚是(shi)(shi)他(ta)(ta)們(men)的棲(qi)息地。舊石器時代(dai)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類出于本(ben)能的選(xuan)擇包含(han)著(zhu)許多的合理(li)(li)性，依山傍(bang)水(shui)(shui)(shui)，負陰抱陽，避風聚(ju)氣(qi)(qi)，易于生(sheng)活。這也是(shi)(shi)塔水(shui)(shui)(shui)河遺址區別于同時期同類遺址的大特征和文(wen)物(wu)(wu)價值所在。
2006年5月25日(ri)，塔水河遺址(zhi)被中華人民共(gong)和(he)國(guo)(guo)國(guo)(guo)務院(yuan)公(gong)布(bu)為第(di)六批全(quan)國(guo)(guo)重點文物保護單位。
2007年10月，山西省人民政(zheng)府為了貫徹落實(shi)(shi)《國(guo)務院關于(yu)開展第三(san)次全(quan)國(guo)文(wen)物普(pu)查(cha)的(de)通知(zhi)》（國(guo)發〔2007〕9號）精神，根據國(guo)家(jia)文(wen)物局(ju)《第三(san)次全(quan)國(guo)文(wen)物普(pu)查(cha)實(shi)(shi)施方案》，制(zhi)訂《山西省第三(san)次全(quan)國(guo)文(wen)物普(pu)查(cha)實(shi)(shi)施方案》。
塔水河遺址和(he)小(xiao)(xiao)南海遺址很可(ke)能(neng)是(shi)舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代中期(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)代表，屬(shu)丁(ding)村文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)，后期(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)分布范圍擴大(da)，幾乎(hu)遍布黃(huang)土高原(yuan)，在蒙古高原(yuan)和(he)華北(bei)(bei)平(ping)原(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)發現日(ri)益增多，還延伸到黑龍江(jiang)、嫩江(jiang)、青(qing)藏高原(yuan)、華南地(di)區、臺(tai)灣。顯著(zhu)特點(dian)(dian)是(shi)形(xing)成了(le)(le)不同(tong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)技術風(feng)格。華北(bei)(bei)有明(ming)(ming)顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)兩(liang)大(da)系(xi)統(tong)：以(yi)大(da)型(xing)(xing)(xing)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)為(wei)特征(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)“河——丁(ding)村系(xi)”；以(yi)小(xiao)(xiao)型(xing)(xing)(xing)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)為(wei)特征(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)“周口(kou)店第1地(di)點(dian)(dian)——峙峪系(xi)”。二者在打(da)制(zhi)技術和(he)器(qi)(qi)(qi)型(xing)(xing)(xing)上各具(ju)特色，形(xing)成鮮明(ming)(ming)對(dui)照。蒙古高原(yuan)上的(de)(de)(de)(de)水洞溝(gou)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)呈(cheng)現出不同(tong)于中國(guo)傳(chuan)統(tong)，卻類(lei)似于西歐舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)特點(dian)(dian)。華南的(de)(de)(de)(de)遺址則更多地(di)表現出區域(yu)地(di)方(fang)(fang)(fang)特色。這時(shi)舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)進入了(le)(le)空前(qian)繁榮階段。石器(qi)(qi)(qi)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)進步，出現了(le)(le)典型(xing)(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)細石器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)；器(qi)(qi)(qi)型(xing)(xing)(xing)多樣(yang)化(hua)(hua)，擁有各種(zhong)各樣(yang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)刮削(xue)器(qi)(qi)(qi)、尖狀(zhuang)器(qi)(qi)(qi)、雕刻(ke)器(qi)(qi)(qi)、錐、鋸等，個別(bie)還出現箭頭、復合工(gong)(gong)具(ju)；掌握了(le)(le)骨(gu)、角(jiao)材料(liao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)特性(xing)，采用鋸、切(qie)、削(xue)、磨、鉆等專門(men)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)精(jing)心制(zhi)作了(le)(le)骨(gu)針、魚(yu)叉、骨(gu)錐、骨(gu)刀、角(jiao)鏟等；裝飾品(pin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)出現，反映了(le)(le)先進的(de)(de)(de)(de)工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)水平(ping)和(he)日(ri)益豐富的(de)(de)(de)(de)精(jing)神生活。中國(guo)舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)以(yi)石片工(gong)(gong)具(ju)為(wei)主(zhu)要工(gong)(gong)藝(yi)傳(chuan)統(tong)，但從舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代早期(qi)起就已出現南北(bei)(bei)兩(liang)個大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)區域(yu)特征(zheng)，并且又都(dou)呈(cheng)現出多樣(yang)性(xing)，存在著(zhu)不同(tong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)類(lei)型(xing)(xing)(xing)。到舊(jiu)石器(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代晚期(qi)，南、北(bei)(bei)方(fang)(fang)(fang)文(wen)(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)差(cha)別(bie)更明(ming)(ming)顯，北(bei)(bei)方(fang)(fang)(fang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)石制(zhi)品(pin)繼續向(xiang)著(zhu)小(xiao)(xiao)型(xing)(xing)(xing)化(hua)(hua)方(fang)(fang)(fang)向(xiang)發展(zhan)，南方(fang)(fang)(fang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)石制(zhi)品(pin)則一種(zhong)是(shi)向(xiang)小(xiao)(xiao)型(xing)(xing)(xing)化(hua)(hua)發展(zhan)，另一種(zhong)還保留了(le)(le)大(da)型(xing)(xing)(xing)化(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)傳(chuan)統(tong)。
虎(hu)頭梁型的(de)細(xi)石(shi)器(qi)文(wen)化主要起(qi)源(yuan)于(yu)(yu)西(xi)(xi)伯利亞一帶，西(xi)(xi)伯利亞也是(shi)它的(de)主要分布(bu)區域，在中國，其分布(bu)范圍僅限(xian)于(yu)(yu)泥河灣(wan)盆地(di)等少數地(di)區；而下川型的(de)細(xi)石(shi)器(qi)文(wen)化則可能起(qi)源(yuan)于(yu)(yu)華北地(di)區，分布(bu)范圍遍及華北、華南甚至西(xi)(xi)南地(di)區。
我心明亮 
