In the heart of Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, the earth is giving up its ancient secrets. The fifth stage of archaeological excavations at the famed Longgupo Site is underway, and it promises to be a transformative journey into the annals of prehistoric East Asia. Experts anticipate the unearthing of a vast array of ancient human remains, prehistoric animal fossils, and pivotal artifacts that could reshape our understanding of early human history in the region.
The current excavation is a monumental effort—the largest at Longgupo in over ten years. Spanning 30 square meters, the dig is scheduled to continue until November, offering ample time for researchers to delve deep into layers of history.
The significance of the Longgupo Site in the world of archaeology cannot be overstated. Nestled within Wushan county, the site has cemented its status as one of the paramount prehistoric cultural locations on the Eurasian continent. Its story stretches back an astonishing 2 million years, a testament to the endurance and evolution of ancient civilizations. In 1985, the Longgupo Site became globally recognized after revealing the oldest known human fossil in East Asia, hence earning its esteemed title as the “Cradle of East Asian Humanity.”
Throughout its history, Longgupo has consistently provided invaluable materials that shed light on the dynamics of human development. The site offers a chronicle of paleo-organisms and environmental shifts from 1.8 to 2.48 million years ago. This data has paved the way for researchers to chart the historical evolution of the Three Gorges region, uncovering tales of its ancient ecosystems, the advent and progress of humankind, and drawing parallels between Eastern and Western ancient cultures.
Huang Wanbo, a venerable 91-year-old member of the expert group supervising the excavation, emphasized the importance of the site. According to him, the previous four digs resulted in the identification of 116 mammal fossil species and over 1,000 stone tools.
Under Huang’s guidance from 1984 to 2006, three intensive excavation phases transpired at Longgupo. A subsequent fourth phase between 2011 and 2012 combined the strengths of traditional Chinese and French archaeological techniques. This collaboration led to the discovery of 200+ stone artifacts distinctly modified by human hands and over 100 mammal fossils. Mu Fengjing, who leads the Three Gorges Museum, observed that these discoveries contributed invaluable data on the technological behaviors of early humans in the region.
With this rich history, expectations run high for the fifth excavation phase. Huang ardently hopes that the upcoming discoveries will reinforce the theory that East Asian humans first emerged in the Yangtze River‘s Three Gorges area, further elevating the cultural and historical importance of the Longgupo Site.
READ MORE: