In a landmark finding that emphasizes the deep-seated continuity of Chinese civilization, Chinese archaeologists have unearthed more than 150 Paleolithic sites along one of the branches of the Yellow River. According to the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, this remarkable discovery dates the history of ancient human activity in the region back to approximately 600,000 years ago.
The continuous development and inheritance of stone tool-making technologies displayed by ancient humans in this region provide compelling evidence of China’s persistent human developmental history spanning hundreds of thousands of years, commented Luo Wenli, head of the administration.
Since 2019, archaeologists have identified over 150 Paleolithic sites on the west bank of the Yellow River and its tributaries. These findings span from 700,000 years ago to about 10,000 years ago and reveal a diverse array of stone tool technologies, painting a rich portrait of the enduring existence and evolution of ancient humans.
In 2022 and 2023, archaeologists discovered Paleolithic sites along the Shichuan River in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. These sites filled a gap in the distribution of Paleolithic locations in the central region around the northern Weihe River, a branch of the Yellow River.
At the Miaogou site in Shaanxi Province, archaeologists discovered a cache of stone artifacts from 600,000 to 30,000 years ago, significantly extending the timeline of human activity in this region. The site’s soil layer has been geologically dated to between 470,000 and 600,000 years ago, explained Zhang Gaike, an archaeologist involved in the project.
More than 7,000 stone artifacts were uncovered from the Zhuhuangbao site in Shaanxi Province, which date from 130,000 to 40,000 years ago. These artifacts, found across multiple continuous cultural layers, showcase the significant transitional characteristics from Middle to Late Paleolithic cultures.
Excavations conducted in 2021 and 2022 along the downstream section of the Yellow River revealed sediment deposits up to 24 meters thick. These deposits chronicle an ancient human cultural heritage spanning over 1 million to approximately 30,000 years ago, forming a nearly continuous record.
These new discoveries complement previously found fossil remains of ancient humans, such as the Lantian Man and Dali Man, in Shaanxi, forming a relatively complete chain of human evolution in China. The archaeological team will now focus on further investigation and in-depth excavation of key archaeological sites along the Yellow River.
Renowned as the “Mother River” of China, the Yellow River is the country’s second-longest river, stretching 5,464 kilometers. It provides water to 12% of China’s population across over 50 cities and irrigates 17% of the nation’s arable land, highlighting its enduring significance in the life and history of the Chinese nation.
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