The Tanguan Mountain site in Meishan City, located in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, has emerged as a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, marking it as the earliest Paleolithic age site in the Chengdu Plain. Dating back over 200,000 years, this site offers a rare glimpse into the ancient history of the region.
Situated on a mesa by the Li Quan River, a tributary of the Min River, Tanguan Mountain has yielded a treasure trove of stone artifacts. These findings are significant as they provide evidence of the early Paleolithic lifestyle of the Shu people, an ancient civilization in China. Cultural experts have emphasized the importance of these discoveries in understanding the early human history in this region.
Qu Fulin, a renowned expert in Paleolithic archaeology, has shed light on the types of tools found at the site. Among them, stone cores and stone flakes were prominent. The stone flakes, in particular, were crafted by ancient humans using natural tools like hardwood and animal horns, functioning similarly to knives with their sharp edges. The stone core is the residual piece left after the flakes are removed, giving further insights into the tool-making techniques of ancient humans.
The archaeological project, which commenced in 2020, has been fruitful, unearthing over 500 stone relics. These discoveries have established the Tanguan Mountain site as not only the most prominent but also the oldest site from the Paleolithic Age in the area.
Sun Qian, the director of the Cultural Heritage Bureau in Meishan’s Dongpo district, highlighted the use of luminescence dating methods. These techniques helped determine the age of the oldest strata at the site, revealing stone relics approximately 200,000 years old. Interestingly, most of the stone artifacts found were made of gravel sourced from southern China.
Paleoanthropologist Zou Hesi pointed out that the analysis of these artifacts helps reconstruct the survival mode of ancient humans in the area. This adds significant depth to the understanding of China’s Paleolithic history.
The Chengdu Plain, spanning 18,810 square kilometers, includes cities like Chengdu, Leshan, Meishan, and Deyang in Sichuan Province. The Tanguan Mountain site not only hosts Paleolithic Age remains but also features archaeological finds from various periods. These include ash pits from the Neolithic period, tombs from the Han, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and even a kiln used for porcelain production. These findings offer a continuous narrative of Chinese cultural civilization’s evolution.
Following the discovery of the Tanguan Mountain site in 2019, lead archaeologist Chen Wei initiated a comprehensive survey of prehistoric sites in the Meishan and Leshan regions. This survey has led to the identification of 104 Paleolithic sites, featuring a diverse array of stone relics, including stone cores and thin-edged axes.
Recognizing the site’s importance, local authorities in Meishan commenced constructing supporting facilities in 2023. Plans are also underway to establish an archaeological park named after the Tanguan Mountain site. This initiative aims to preserve and showcase this significant archaeological site, allowing for further research and public education on China’s rich ancient history.
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