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Hominin and human dispersals in palaeolithic East Asia Robin DENNELL Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 132-164.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0044 Abstract （1471）   HTML （129）    PDF（pc） （18292KB）（948）       Knowledge map    Save Dispersals, colonisation, immigration and population assimilation or replacement are fundamental themes in the Palaeolithic record of East Asia. Some of these issues can be studied within a biogeographic framework that explains why and how the distribution of hominin species changed over time and space in response to climatic and environmental change. Because hominins (and especially humans) can change their behaviour through technical, social and cognitive developments, biogeographic models also have to incorporate this factor when investigating dispersals. This is particularly important with the dispersals in East Asia by Homo sapiens into rainforests, across open sea to off-shore islands, to the Arctic and the highest parts of the Tibetan Plateau. This paper suggests how hominin and human dispersals in East Asia might be investigated by using a biogeographic framework that can incorporate changes in hominin adaptability and behaviour. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A study overview on tooth wear in ancient populations LI Haijun, ZENG Yuxin, ADILIJIANG Waili, NUERMAIMAITI Kadier, ZHANG Hailong, LI Wenying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 333-351.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0081 Abstract （1079）   HTML （60）    PDF（pc） （9126KB）（1207）       Knowledge map    Save Tooth wear is closely related to human subsistence activities and is a common physiological phenomenon observed on human remains excavated from archaeological sites. It possesses significant research value in fields such as physical anthropology and archaeology. Currently, numerous scholars both at home and abroad have conducted research on tooth wear in ancient populations, yielding a wealth of findings. However, a systematic review is still lacking. This paper reviews and summarizes the common types and influencing factors of tooth wear in ancient inhabitants based on relevant research results from both domestic and international sources. Macroscopically, tooth wear can present morphologically as flat, oblique, rounded, spoon-shaped, cup-shaped, and groove wear. Microscopically, it can be further classified into striations and pits. Factors influencing tooth wear include age, food structure, food processing techniques, socioeconomic types, and specific human behavioral patterns that may lead to distinctive wear phenomena. Moreover, factors such as chewing methods, chewing frequency, occlusal relationships between the upper and lower jaws, and the developmental status of teeth also affect tooth wear to a certain extent. Research on tooth wear can be applied to infer the individual age at death, explore the dietary structure and socioeconomic patterns of ancient populations, elucidate ancient labor behaviors and social division of labor, reconstruct the patterns of weaning and feeding in children, as well as the functional restoration of occlusal relationships between the upper and lower dental arches. Based on differences in research purposes and subjects, the academic community has proposed specialized observation methods and grading standards for evaluating the degree of tooth wear. Nevertheless, there is currently no unified grading method or standard for tooth wear. Overall, exploring the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of ancient populations from different archaeological sites in China through tooth wear is a major research focus of ancient human tooth wear studies in China. Significant research achievements have revealed the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of populations from various archaeological sites. In terms of time, these sites are mainly concentrated from the Neolithic Age to the early Iron Age. Geographically, research on tooth wear in ancient Chinese populations is mainly distributed in the Central Plains and the northwestern border regions of China, with relatively fewer studies in the southern regions. Compared with international research, domestic studies on ancient human tooth wear still face limitations such as narrow research perspectives, lack diversity in research focus and homogeneous content. Future research could benefit from innovations in research fields, ideas, and methods to fill the gaps and achieve further progress. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Reduction patterns and assemblage of the Levallois technology WANG Xiaoyu, GAO Xing Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 1-13.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0067 Abstract （1007）   HTML （143）    PDF（pc） （1137KB）（850）       Knowledge map    Save Levallois technology, denominated after the Levallois-Perret site located in the northern suburbs of Paris, France, was initially recognized and demarcated by the archaeologist Henri Breuil. This particular technology, which necessitates the fabrication of specific flake products through core preparation, forms a distinctive hallmark of the Middle Paleolithic epoch in the western region of the Old World (referred to as the Middle Stone Age in the African context). It epitomizes the primary technological expression of Mode 3 preformed cores within Clark’s five-mode technological classification system. Marked by the pre-shaping of cores and the generation of specialized flake varieties, Levallois technology held sway in the Mousterian industrial complex. Levallois technology originally sprang up during the late phase of the Lower Paleolithic Acheulian industry and subsequently experienced further progression within the Mousterian technological paradigm during the Middle Paleolithic period. The incidence and application of Levallois technology exhibited pronounced variations among diverse Paleolithic assemblages; nevertheless, it unfailingly materialized in a multitude of stone tool industries spanning the Near East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This lithic technology was noteworthy for its elaborate preforming sequence and the production of standardized implements, attesting to the elevated cognitive capabilities of ancient humans. As a result, this technology is routinely contemplated in the reconstructions of human intellectual evolution, given that it intimates advanced powers of conceptualization, abstraction, intelligence, and language. In contradistinction to its widespread prevalence in other regions, the documentary evidence of Levallois technology in China remains comparatively scant, attributable to the paucity of archaeological vestiges. Some scholars previously attributed the deficiency of Levallois technology in East Asia to meager effective population sizes and the absence of the Acheulian heritage. However, in recent years, with the strides made in archaeological excavations, the discovery of artifacts embodying Levallois technology at Chinese sites has galvanized the attention of the academic fraternity. Indicative Levallois artifacts have been unearthed at several locations in northern China, especially in areas proximate to Russia and Mongolia. These sites, dating back approximately 50,000 to 40,000 years ago, include Shuidonggou, Jinsitai, and Tongtian Cave. These findings have subverted prior assumptions and furnished novel vantage points for grasping technological assemblages, technological dissemination, as well as the divergences from representative sites of the late Middle Pleistocene and early Late Pleistocene in northern China. This paper strives to introduce and encapsulate the Levallois concepts, products, and idiosyncratic traits of the reduction pattern. It clarifies the extant evidence of Levallois technology unearthed in China and the characteristics of the affiliated industries. By dint of this endeavor, we aspire to proffer valuable perspectives for further research undertakings. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Exploration of "behavioral modernity” and “modern human behavior” in human evolution YANG Shixia Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 181-192.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0014 Abstract （947）   HTML （159）    PDF（pc） （5590KB）（602）       Knowledge map    Save The evolution and widespread of Homo sapiens is a key event in the human evolution history. By the end of the Late Pleistocene, our species was distributed across every continent except Antarctica, and adopted to varied ecological niches. The behavioral complexity and the cultural diversity are believed to act as one of the most pronounced abilities to get success. The fossil and genetic evidence were applied to discuss the extinction of archaic populations, such as the Denisovans and the Neanderthals and their complicated interbreeding with Homo sapiens. The archaeological records served on the discussion about the behavioral evolution from the emergence of “behavioral complexity or modernity’ to the fully developed modern human ‘behavioral package’. In this paper, we reviewed the discussion on the modern human behavioral evolution in the western side of the Old World. Based on the African archaeological records, the behavioral origins of Homo sapiens can be traced back to the first material culture produced by our species in Africa and phased as Middle Stone Age (MSA); while the western Eurasian records the behavioral complexity raised with the origin of Neanderthals and phased as Middle Paleolithic (MP). Then around the middle of Late Pleistocene, as the wide distribution of Homo sapiens and the extinction of archaic populations, a complete ‘modernity package’ finally developed and shows more cultural diversity globally, which including the advanced lithic tools (blade, microblade), bone tools, increased geographic range, specialized hunting, the use of aquatic resources, long distance exchange, systematic processing and use of pigment, and art and decoration. However, recently in Eastern Asia efforts were made to explore the complexity of the ‘behavioral complexity or modernity’, the technological innovations and behavioral adaptations process are still barely known. The lithic assemblages have long been regarded as simple, conservative technologies, and major changes in raw material procurement, core reduction, retouch and typology tended to be clustered until 40 kaBP, without a ‘middle phase’ showing distinguished transition. These years, facing with the high degree of hominin morphological variability which has been suggested by recent fossil and genetic evidence, such as the early modern humans, Denisovans, H. longi, and some other unassigned taxons (Xujiayao and Xuchang), and growing new archeological data, we need to rethink the ‘behavioral modernity’ process happened in Eastern Aisa and its application to the evolutionary history of our species worldwide. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Skull morphology of the residents from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery in Luochuan, Shaanxi LING Liangyou, SUN Zhanwei, LI Nan, CHENG Zhihan, RAN Zhiyu, HE Jianing Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 66-77.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0056 Abstract （767）   HTML （74）    PDF（pc） （59865KB）（159）       Knowledge map    Save Located on the southern edge of the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province, the Yuejiazhuang cemetery stands out as the northernmost burial site for Qin residents and thus holds profound significance. In this research endeavor, the craniofacial traits of human skulls unearthed from this cemetery were meticulously analyzed by employing the methodologies delineated in the “Anthropometric Manual”. Through painstaking measurement and close observation of 141 skull specimens, we successfully deciphered the craniofacial morphology characteristic of the Yuejiazhuang inhabitants. The analytical outcomes disclosed a blend of medium and high cranial forms, narrow frontal aspects, medium to wide facial configurations, medium nasal shapes, as well as medium orbital features. Notwithstanding this discovery, the morphological analysis based on multivariate statistical techniques ascertained that the Yuejiazhuang residents were affiliated with the East Asian Mongolian ethnic group. Further comparative studies were conducted with individuals from the Bronze Age by means of principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. These investigations demonstrated that the Yuejiazhuang residents exhibited closer genetic affinities with those in the central Shaanxi Plain and more remote connections with their counterparts in southern Shanxi Province. Additionally, the multivariate statistical analysis hinted at the presence of specific cranial morphological discrepancies among the populations of the Qin and Jin regions during the Warring States period. Moreover, the flexed-burial customs and the accompanying grave goods discovered at the Yuejiazhuang cemetery vividly and typically mirrored the cultural elements of the Qin Dynasty. Historical records also attest that since the mid-Warring States period, the Qin state had frequently implemented population relocation policies, transplanting inhabitants to newly conquered areas to augment political governance. By integrating these elements, it can be deduced that the principal genetic constituents of the Yuejiazhuang residents predominantly stemmed from the Qin people who migrated from the Central Shaanxi Plain during the middle to late Warring States period. The Yuejiazhuang Cemetery offers invaluable perspectives into the cultural and genetic fabric of the Qin population throughout the Warring States era. Furthermore, the practice of flexed burials and the variety of artifacts interred with the deceased at Yuejiazhuang furnish additional corroboration for the historical accounts of Qin migration and resettlement strategies. These policies were presumably part of a more extensive blueprint designed to fortify Qin’s dominion over newly acquired lands by assimilating the local populace with Qin settlers, thereby safeguarding political and social stability. The genetic evidence gleaned from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery, when combined with archaeological and historical data, paints a comprehensive tableau of population migrations and cultural amalgamation during the Warring States period. It accentuates the pivotal role of state policies in molding the demographic panorama of ancient China, especially through the migration and settlement of Qin people from the central plains to peripheral regions. This synthesis of genetic, archaeological, and historical proof enriches our comprehension of the intricate social dynamics and interactions that typified the Warring States period, spotlighting the profound impact of migration on the cultural and genetic constitution of ancient Chinese populations. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Taphonomy of the animal remains from the Shiyu site, Shanxi WANG Ying, ZHANG Yue, YANG Shixia, ZHANG Shuangquan Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 255-269.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0098 Abstract （723）   HTML （69）    PDF（pc） （10505KB）（184）       Knowledge map    Save The Shiyu site, situated on the western edge of the Nihewan basin (sensu lato) is an important Late Pleistocene archaeological location in northern China. From an extensive excavation in the last century, a substantial number of lithics, animal bones, and the traces of human fire use were unearthed, along with a limited number of modern human fossils. Recent Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating have recalibrated the cultural layer to approximately 44.6±1.2 kaBP. The presence of artifacts with some characteristics of the Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) assemblage positions Shiyu as a crucial site for understanding early modern human activities in Northeast Asia. In this study, 152 faunal bone fragments curated at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) were analyzed from a perspective of vertebrate taphonomy, including age profile assessment, skeletal elements frequency quantification, bone breakage pattern analysis and bone surface modification observation. The objective of this study is to evaluate and discuss the subsistence strategies employed by Shiyu hominins in their exploitation of animal resources. Given the limited sample size, the following tentative conclusions were derived from this research. Most notably, bone surface modifications revealed a relatively high intensity of human activity, evidenced by a significant frequency of human-inflict damages on bones, including cut marks, percussion marks, and percussion notches. In contrast, natural modifications such as carnivore or rodent tooth marks, sedimentary abrasions, and polish were minimal. Even when considering the potential biases in specimen selection, the evidence strongly supported that humans were the predominate agent of bone accumulation and modification at the site. Furthermore, both bone surface modifications and skeletal elements frequency implied that foragers were most probably engaged in primary butchery of animal carcasses at the site, and subsequently transported selected skeletal elements to a base camp for further processing. The Shiyu site thus can be broadly interpreted as a river-adjacent kill-butchery site. Additionally, we identified a selection of limb bone fragments with distinctive percussive marks as a kind of expedient bone tools, known as bone retouchers. However, regarding the bone fragments from the site previously suspected by some scholars to be bone tools due to their successive scars, it is more reasonable to conclude that these were merely unintended by-products of marrow extraction processes. It is also worth mentioning that a few deliberately produced linear marks were discovered, clearly distinguishable from typical butchery cut marks, undoubtedly reflecting symbolic behaviors and the complexity of human activities to a certain degree. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Skull morphology and ethnic origin of the people from the Beishenjiaqiao cemetery in Xi’an WANG Shu, WANG Chunxue, ZHANG Xiangyu, ZHOU Yawei Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 78-91.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0069 Abstract （700）   HTML （44）    PDF（pc） （16539KB）（158）       Knowledge map    Save The Beishenjiaqiao cemetery, located in Yanta District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, is a burial ground of the Qin people during the Warring States Period on the Guanzhong Plain. Through the observation and measurement of 63 basically intact skulls unearthed from this cemetery, the following conclusions have been reached: The Beishenjiaqiao group exhibits a combination of mesocranium, high cranial vault, and narrow cranial shape, along with a relatively broad facial type. The maxillary central incisors are mostly spade-shaped, and the canine fossae and nasal root concavities are weakly developed. In comparison with modern Asian Mongoloid groups, it shows the closest affinity with the Fushun group, North China group, and South China group, while maintaining a greater distance from the Mongolian group and Turgus group. Therefore, the inhabitants of Beishenjiaqiao should be classified as the East Asian Mongoloid race. When contrasted with ancient groups in the early pre-Qin period, the Beishenjiaqiao group is closely related to the residents of the “ancient Central Plains type” such as the Yangshao Merged group, Miaodigou group, Taosi group, Chengzi Phase II group, and Dawenkou group, and is also proximate to the residents of the “ancient North China type” like the Miaozigou group. In comparison with ancient groups of the Bronze-early Iron Age, it has a strong connection with the Yin Shang groups such as the Small and Medium Tombs Group 2 and Group C of the Yin ruins, as well as the Qin and Zhou groups including the Wanli group, the Wayaogou group, and the Matengkong group. Considering the long-term and close associations between the residents of Beishenjiaqiao and those in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, especially the closer relationship with the Yin Shang group, and in combination with literature research and other multidisciplinary evidence, it is hypothesized that the Qin people might have been one of the tribes of the Yin Shang group, thereby corroborating the “theory of originating from the east”. Based on the records in the Tsinghua Bamboo Slips “Chronicle”, we can deduce the development trajectory of the Qin people: The Qin might have initially been an eastern ethnic group, either closely affiliated with or even an integral part of the Yin-Shang tribes. After the fall of the Shang Dynasty, they were banished by the Zhou people to the northwest to defend against the Rong tribes. During this period, they coexisted and interacted with the Rong, leading to cultural and genetic exchanges. However, the main body of the Qin people retained numerous cultural traditions and physical characteristics from the Yin-Shang era. In contrast, the Qin people who assimilated into the Gansu-Qinghai region, such as the residents of Maojiaping, perpetuated more of the local physical traits. In the late Western Zhou period, the Qin were rewarded for their efforts in safeguarding the Zhou royal family during its eastward migration and subsequently took control of the Guanzhong region, further enhancing the interaction and integration among the groups along the Yellow River basin. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Chronological studies of the Xuetangliangzi hominin fossil site in Hubei Province HUA Jiequn, GE Junyi, LU Chengqiu, SHEN Zhongshan, XING Song, LU zeji, GAO Xing, DENG Chenglong Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 316-332.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0015 Abstract （695）   HTML （74）    PDF（pc） （26670KB）（174）       Knowledge map    Save As a key area for the occupation and dispersal of Homo erectus, a large number of Pleistocene H. erectus fossils have been discovered in East Asia. This provides specific advantages for understanding the evolution and dispersal of H. erectus on our planet. However, so far, the scarcity and poor preservation of the early H. erectus fossils ever found in China, especially the lack of completely preserved skull fossils, significantly hinder our knowledge of the evolutionary history of East Asian H. erectus and its evolutionary systematic status. Three relatively well-preserved early H. erectus skull fossils have been unearthed from the Xuetangliangzi (Yunxian hominin) site in Hubei province. These fossils hold considerable promise for elucidating this species’ evolutionary trajectory, migratory patterns, and environmental adaptability in East Asia. Consequently, establishing an accurate chronological framework for these fossils is deemed essential. Since these skull fossils are of great significance for understanding the evolution, dispersal, and environmental adaptations of East Asian H. erectus, establishing a precise chronological framework for these fossils seems to be vitally important. In this study, the previous studies on the stratigraphic and geochronological dating of the Yunxian hominin site were systematically reviewed and examined to analyze the potential problematic issues. At least five levels of terraces are recognizable in the Yunxian hominin site area, and the WT section which was mostly focused on by previous studies may not correspond to the terrace on which the hominin fossils were discovered. Therefore, this discrepancy suggests that many dating efforts, particularly paleomagnetic analyses, may not reliably reflect the site’s antiquity. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating of mammalian remains from the same stratum provides a minimum age estimate for the Yunxian hominin fossils. Furthermore, the incomplete characterization of the mammalian fauna associated with the site complicates faunal comparisons, thereby affecting the chronological assessment. Based on this conclusion and integrating regional geomorphological and geochronological data, we propose that disparities in sampling resolution, experimental methodologies, analytical precision, and sample integrity may contribute to the existing controversies. However, the most significant factor undermining the chronological reliability of the Yunxian hominin site is the tenuous nature of regional stratigraphic correlations. Additionally, geochronological datings on the terraces along the Han River indicate that T4 to T1 terraces developed at approximately 55,220,780 and 1,300,000 BP, respectively. The formation of the T4 terrace, where the Yunxian hominin site is located, sets a maximum age constraint for the site. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the temporal distribution of hominin occupations in this region could yield pivotal evidence for correlating the Yunxian hominin fossil with potential cultural affiliations to Paleolithic sites along the river. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An excavation report of the Yahuai Cave site in Long’an, Guangxi XIE Guangmao, LIN Qiang, YU Minghui, LU Jieying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (03): 365-388.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0046 Abstract （687）   HTML （77）    PDF（pc） （8486KB）（338）       Knowledge map    Save The Yahuai Cave site is situated at a limestone tower near Bolang Village, Long’an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, South China (107°45′35″E, 23°6′25″N). It is a prehistoric site predominantly characterized by Palaeolithic deposits. Between 2015 and 2018, the Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relic Protection and Archaeology carried out excavations at this site. Four areas, namely A, B, C, and D, were opened, with a total exposure area of 50 m². A burial containing a complete Palaeolithic human skull was discovered. A multitude of cultural remains, such as chipped stone tools, ground stone tools, shell and bone artifacts, and potsherds, were unearthed. The majority of the stone tools are made of small quartz sandstone, tektite, chert, or crystal stones, exhibiting features typical of the “core-flake industry” commonly found in North China. Three hearths and an ash pit were identified, suggesting frequent fire usage at the site. Ochres were found throughout all cultural layers, and some of them were discovered to be ground into powder. Numerous bones of terrestrial and aquatic animals were excavated. The site was dated using the AMS 14C dating method to a period between 43,000 and 4,000 BP cal. Four cultural phases were recognized, with phases 1~3 belonging to the Palaeolithic period and phase 4 to the Neolithic period. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Paleopathology of human bones from the pottery site of Dayuan Village in Shaanxi CHEN Liang, SONG Yuke, FU Zhongyang, XU Lianggao Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 55-65.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0055 Abstract （651）   HTML （90）    PDF（pc） （5363KB）（328）       Knowledge map    Save This paper undertakes Physical Anthropological research on the excellently preserved skeletal remains of 30 cases unearthed from the pottery site of the Western Zhou Dynasty in Dayuan Village, Xixian New Area, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. Through a combination of naked-eye observation and Dino-Lite microscopy, the paleopathological manifestations are meticulously recorded. The pottery site in Dayuan Village represents a significant archaeological discovery in the Xi’an region, predominantly yielding sand-tempered brown pottery “split crotch” li tripods. The products fabricated at this site are relatively homogeneous and display a high degree of specialization. The pathological findings disclose that cribra orbitalia was prevalent among the majority of the ancient inhabitants, with some cases accompanied by porotic hyperostosis. This suggests that the local population might have endured iron-deficiency anemia, suffered from malnutrition, and resided in a poor living environment. A high incidence of rib periostitis and maxillary sinusitis was observed among the ancient site residents, potentially attributable to respiratory ailments induced by environmental pollution. The ancient inhabitants of this pottery site exhibited a remarkable frequency of metatarsal-phalangeal joint osteoarthritis, signifying the frequent utilization of metatarsophalangeal joints. Osteoarthritis, being the most common joint disorder, predominantly affected the spine joints, ankle joints, shoulder joints, and hip joints, reflecting a substantial labor burden. The metacarpals of the ancient residents were anomalously curved, and skeletal evidence of Musculoskeletal Stress Markers was detected on the phalanges and limb bones. These distinctive bony alterations imply that these individuals were involved in repetitive joint motions and occupations that placed significant demands on hand musculature. Based on the paleopathology of the population at the site, the following deductions are made. In light of the pathological signs of the ancient residents in the pottery site in Dayuan Village, a high prevalence of cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, rib periostitis, and maxillary sinusitis was noted within the site population. The prevalence of osteoarthritis and the occurrence rate of metatarsal-phalangeal joint osteoarthritis were also considerable. It is hypothesized that these pathological changes might be associated with the joint stress resulting from long-term strenuous labor and the adverse environment of the pottery site. Considering the overall circumstances, these disease characteristics are intimately linked to the occupation of pottery making. The ancient residents who once resided in Dayuan Village were presumably pottery artisans and engaged in handicrafts over an extended period. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Core flaking technology of the Shuijingbei locality of Xiachuan site in Shanxi CAI Xinyi, DU Shuisheng Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 14-26.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0049 Abstract （646）   HTML （71）    PDF（pc） （18457KB）（169）       Knowledge map    Save Located in Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, the Xiachuan site stands out as a significant Upper Paleolithic archaeological site. Excavations have revealed five distinct localities within the site, namely Xiaobaihuageliang, Fuyihegeliang, Liushuiyao, Shuijingbei, and Niulu localities. Two squares exhibiting similar stratigraphic accumulations were excavated at the Shuijingbei locality. The stratigraphic accumulation can be categorized into two primary cultural stages. The lower cultural layer comprises a wealth of remains characterized by a simple core-flake industry, indicative of the early Upper Paleolithic period (44~33 kaBP). The upper cultural stage contains remnants of microblade technology, corresponding to the middle Upper Paleolithic period (26~25 kaBP). During the early Upper Paleolithic stage at the Shuijingbei locality, the prevalent technological approach was simple core-flake industry, most artifacts were directly knapped by hard hammers with a small number of artifacts using bipolar method. In the upper cultural period at the Shuijingbei locality, microblade technology emerged alongside the continued presence of the simple core-flake industry. Among all the excavation localities within the Xiachuan site, the Shuijingbei locality stands out as having the most abundant remains associated with the simple core-flake industry. This particular locality offers valuable insights into the evolutionary trajectory of flaking practices across different time periods. A thorough analysis of the technical attributes of simple core-flake industry cores discovered from these distinct cultural layers at the Shuijingbei locality reveals two distinct flaking organization strategies: Platform orientation and flaking surface orientation. The platform orientation organization encompasses four distinct flaking patterns: Single flaking direction and surface, single flaking direction with multiple flaking surfaces, dual flaking surfaces with a single flaking direction, and multiple flaking surfaces and directions. Conversely, the more sophisticated flaking surface orientation strategy incorporates lateral directions within a single flaking surface and opposing flaking directions within the same flaking surface, constituting two distinctive flaking patterns and highlighting the complexity of flaking techniques. Remnants from both the early and middle Upper Paleolithic periods at the Shuijingbei locality in the Xiachuan site display evidence of these flaking organization strategies, suggesting the enduring nature of the simple core-flake industry’s techniques. Notably, during the middle Upper Paleolithic period at the Shuijingbei locality, advancements in core-flaking techniques are evident, characterized by improved platform retouch techniques, continuous flaking on a single surface, enhanced control over flakes’ shape and size, and increased core development and utilization. By comparing the characteristics of these flaking techniques, it can be inferred that the advancements observed in the middle Upper Paleolithic stage were likely influenced by the concurrent presence of microblade technology during the same period. This interaction between the two flaking technologies reflects the movements and migrations of ancient populations across the vast eastern part of the Eurasian continent, particularly in northern China, during the Upper Paleolithic phase. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An experimental study of human tooth marks on bones CAO Yuxin, SUN Lu, ZHANG Yue, ZHANG Shuangquan Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 242-254.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0053 Abstract （646）   HTML （56）    PDF（pc） （4250KB）（658）       Knowledge map    Save In past decades, researchers primarily focused on the distinguishing characteristics of marks on bone surfaces, such as cut marks, percussion marks and categories of modifications, which are widely considered as direct indicators ancient human behaviors. While earlier investigations often attributed tooth markings found on animal remains to carnivore or rodent consumption habits, recent work by Western archaeologists and ethnoarchaeological researchers consistently demonstrates that humans can inflict a category of modifications on bones during their chewing. In such studies, researchers have also attempted to find ways to distinguish human tooth marks from those produced by other carnivores through actualistic experiments. However, few scholars in China have focused on identifying human tooth marks on animal remains. The current study is thus serving as a complementary work upon prior investigations and at the same time adding to the growing evidence to show that humans do indeed leave discernible dental imprints upon animal skeletal remains during consumption processes—particularly upon flatter or more fragile bones. Damages observed on bones include furrowing, scooping-out, crenulated and saw-toothed edges, longitudinal cracking, crushing, peeling and score. In this paper, we present a detailed description of the types of damages observable on bone surfaces in an experimental human chewing of the bones of sheep. A total of 167 chewed post-cranial bones from different parts of sheep have been examined, including 122 boiled bones and 45 roasted ones. Our experimental observation indicates that, although there is a certain degree of morphological similarity between human tooth marks and those marks caused by carnivores, the former assemblage could still be confidently identified and it thus has the potential to provide us with an independent standard for identifying human actors in faunal remains from the archaeological hominins. On the other hand, the description of human chewing patterns may provide further evidence of exploitation of certain groups of animals where cut-marks are rare, such as small games or birds. Furthermore, this experiment provides valuable materials for the comparative analysis and of human tooth-marked from the Chinese archaeological sites. Additionally, the types of tooth marks observed in this experiment are largely consistent with the findings of Western scientists, indicating that these observations have a considerable degree of universality and can be applied to the study of archaeological materials across a broader geographical range. The present paper is the first attempt made by Chinese archaeologists to document human tooth marks in an actualistic setting and it has the potential to provide us with a novel approach to explore human subsistence strategies in Paleolithic China. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Craniofacial morphology of Tang palace maids from the Sanmin Village cemetery in Xi'an ZHAO Dongyue, FEI Yiqing, MIAO Yifei, LIANG Yiqian Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 230-241.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0103 Abstract （602）   HTML （41）    PDF（pc） （7678KB）（136）       Knowledge map    Save The Sanmin Village cemetery is situated in Sanmin Village, Zaoyuan Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. In this cemetery, fifty-seven tombs of palace maids from the early Tang Dynasty have been discovered. These tombs are neatly arranged and uniformly shaped. The area surrounding Sanmin Village was originally located in the southwest suburbs of Chang’an City during the Tang Dynasty. Multiple discoveries of palace maids’ tombs and related epitaphs have been made here, and it is known as “Gongrenxie,” the burial place for Tang Dynasty palace maids. As the capital of the Sui and Tang dynasties, Chang’an City had a large population, among which palace maids were the most numerous special group of women in the harem. In the past, research on Tang Dynasty palace maids was mostly based on traditional literature and palace maid poems rather than on physical characteristics. A total of twenty-nine specimens were extracted from the Tang Dynasty palace maids’ tombs in the Sanmin Village cemetery, including six female skulls that could be observed and measured for craniofacial features. All of these were concentrated in the young and post-adolescent periods. This article refers to the methods listed in the “Anthropometric Manual” to analyze the craniofacial morphological characteristics of human bones unearthed from the Tang Dynasty palace tombs in Sanmin Village. The results show that the distribution of various features of the female skulls in the Sanmin Village cemetery is relatively concentrated. It is similar to the overall craniofacial morphology of female residents in the northern part of the Tang Dynasty, with only differences in facial width, forehead shape, and orbital shape. Compared to other female groups in the Tang Dynasty, women in the Sanmin Village cemetery have a narrower upper face, a wider forehead shape, and a higher orbital shape. However, these differences are not significant enough to exceed the overall characteristics of northern women in the Tang Dynasty. Based on epitaphs and literature, it is further speculated that in the early Tang Dynasty and even throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, palace maids mainly came from the north. There should be certain standards and aesthetic preferences in the selection of palace maids in the Tang Dynasty. Women with a wider forehead and a narrower upper face may have certain advantages in selection, which is consistent with the social aesthetics of the early Tang Dynasty reflected in the female figurines and murals of Tang Dynasty tombs. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A preliminary report of the Nanying reservoir Paleolithic site in the Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province MENG Haochen, CHEN Guoke, ZHOU Jing, LIU Fengjun, SUN Xuefeng, TONG Guang, ZHI Jincao, LI Feng Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 295-300.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0097 Abstract （596）   HTML （59）    PDF（pc） （19384KB）（140）       Knowledge map    Save The origins and dispersal of modern humans are a key issue of interest in the academic community. Past research has largely focused on the “Southern Route”, with less attention paid to the “Northern Route” of the spread from the northern regions of Central Asia and the Altai region of Siberia to Northeast Asia. In recent years, the Northern Route has received increasing attention, and the Hexi Corridor in Northwest China, in particular, may carry the history of ancient human dispersal from Central Asia and the Altai region to North China. However, for a long time, there have been few reports of Paleolithic sites in the Hexi Corridor. In 2021, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, carried out an archaeological survey of the Paleolithic in the Hexi Corridor, uncovering more than twenty new Paleolithic sites. Among them, the newly discovered Nanying Reservoir site is located on the second terrace of the Jinta River in Liangzhou District, Wuwei City. It possesses relatively well-preserved stratigraphic information, and a rich collection of stone artifacts was gathered from the profile. This paper primarily describes and analyzes the stone artifacts unearthed from this site. A total of 530 stone artifacts were unearthed from the Nanying Reservoir site, primarily made from quartz and quartzite. The artifacts include cores, flakes, fragments, and various tools, reflecting the extensive stone tool-making activities of ancient humans in the area. The flaking and retouch techniques predominantly used free-hand hard hammer percussion. Optically stimulated luminescence dating estimates the site’s age to be approximately 90 kaBP to 80 kaBP, providing an important chronological framework for studying ancient human activities in the region. The Paleolithic investigation shows that the Hexi Corridor region is rich in Paleolithic remains, including stone tools, sites, and fossils, which reveal traces of ancient human life and further in-depth investigations and studies will provide valuable and extensive materials for exploring the technological characteristics, production methods, and survival strategies of ancient humans in the region. These discoveries help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of early human lifestyles in this region and how they adapted to environmental changes and challenges. These new discoveries are of great significance for understanding the migration and dispersal processes of early humans in East Asia and the role the Hexi Corridor has played in those processes. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Perforated stone tools from the Yahuai Cave site in Long’an, Guangxi XIE Ying, FU Lin Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (03): 439-450.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0036 Abstract （593）   HTML （28）    PDF（pc） （3575KB）（362）       Knowledge map    Save Perforated stones are widely distributed in prehistoric sites across South China and Southeast Asia. Typically coexisting with chipped stone tools, ground stone tools, and other relics, they constitute a significant element of the regional prehistoric culture. However, due to the limited number of perforated stones unearthed at each site, in-depth research opportunities are substantially restricted, leading to diverse academic viewpoints regarding their functions and usage. In Guangxi, the perforated stones excavated date from the late Paleolithic to the late Neolithic period, indicating their long - term utilization. In recent years, a substantial quantity of perforated stones has been discovered at Yahuai Cave in Guangxi. These artifacts not only date back to as early as 25,000 years ago but also exhibit diverse shapes and distinct usage traces. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the shape characteristics, raw materials, and usage traces of the perforated stones from Yahuai Cave. The size characteristics of the perforated stones and the presence or absence of a grinding surface serve as the classification criteria. Archaeological evidence at the site reveals that prehistoric inhabitants of Yahuai Cave utilized stone anvils to process these perforated stones. The raw materials of the Yahuai Cave perforated stones are predominantly flat, round, or nearly round sandstone cobbles. They were perforated through a two - face piercing method at the center of the stone body, with stone awls employed as the primary processing tool. Most of the perforated stones display usage traces in the hole area and on parts of the stone body, and some are stained with ochre pigment. Integrating the site context, this study reveals the functional diversity of these perforated stones. It is speculated that they might have been used for plant rope making, as fire - making tools, and digging tools. Additionally, they could have served as stone hammers, stone anvils, and stone grinding tools, participating in ochre processing activities such as grinding and crushing. The extensive usage traces on various parts of the perforated stones suggest a high overall utilization rate, indicating that they were versatile utility tools. On one hand, the functional diversity of perforated stones reflects the innovative tool - using practices of prehistoric people; on the other hand, it also demonstrates the wisdom and environmental adaptation strategies of prehistoric communities. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Progress and perspectives of the isotope research of human tooth enamel LEI Shuai Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 165-180.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0019 Abstract （589）   HTML （49）    PDF（pc） （1829KB）（588）       Knowledge map    Save This paper meticulously addresses the significant theoretical and methodological aspects involved in isotopic investigations of human tooth enamel. Firstly, it systematically organizes the growth and development mechanism, principal chemical composition, and the efficacy of human tooth enamel in withstanding diagenesis. Emphasis is placed on the inherent advantages that have rendered it the primary target for hydroxyapatite isotope analyses and studies within the current bioarchaeological realm. Secondly, a vast array of research topics centered around the multi-isotope analysis of elements such as oxygen (δ18O), carbon (δ13C), strontium (87Sr/86Sr), zinc (δ66Zn), magnesium (δ26Mg), calcium (δ44/42Ca), and lead (Pb) in human enamel are distilled and consolidated into three scientific themes: human life history, habitation, and health. Additionally, the current status of each of these research areas is comprehensively reviewed. Finally, within the framework of constructing the theoretical system of archaeology with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the exigency of the swift advancement of multi-isotope research on tooth enamel is underscored. In light of the existing research experiences and deficiencies in the international bioarchaeology community, future research in China is anticipated to progress from the vantage points of innovating experimental sampling strategies and research methodologies, accurately discerning the merits and demerits of diverse mass spectrometry techniques, broadening the depth and scope of research topics, and delving deeply into the cooperative interactions between isotopes and different human body tissues. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Exploitation of animal resource by humans during the Middle Stone Age in South Africa ZHI Yuan, DU Shuisheng, LIU Jiying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 352-364.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0010 Abstract （588）   HTML （35）    PDF（pc） （1943KB）（241）       Knowledge map    Save South Africa, a pivotal area for early modern human activities, enjoys a diverse natural environment and is bordered by three coastlines, leading to unique subsistence adaptations. For example, the exploitation of animal resources has played a crucial role in human evolution. It not only provided essential nutrients and energy for individual growth but also drove the development of complex human behaviors through the acquisition and processing of these resources. Middle Stone Age zooarchaeological studies in South Africa have yielded significant findings, particularly regarding ungulate hunting, terrestrial tortoises collection, aquatic shellfish collection, and marine mammals exploitation. This paper reviews the practices of animal resource exploitation by early modern humans during the Middle Stone Age in South Africa, discussing their adaptive patterns and subsistence strategies in response to environmental conditions. Terrestrial resources formed a crucial component of the subsistence strategies of early modern humans in South Africa. Large and medium-sized ungulates, as high-quality meat sources, were their primary hunting targets, though they occasionally shifted their focus to smaller ungulates. Notably, the exploitation of marine resources was the most distinctive subsistence behavior of these early modern humans. South Africa preserves the earliest records of marine resource exploitation in the world. The abundant shellfish resources were a significant driving force that prompted early modern humans to frequently visit the coast. During the process of exploiting marine resources, the cognitive abilities of early modern humans were significantly enhanced. In addition to understanding tidal patterns, they also had considerable knowledge of the habits of marine organisms. For example, they would collect shellfish that inhabited the rocky reefs during low tide to ensure the highest efficiency and return. Moreover, early modern humans were well aware of the seasonal changes in shellfish. As their understanding and ability to collect shellfish deepened, early modern humans gradually accumulated valuable experience, which was continuously enriched and developed through intergenerational transmission. This process not only enhanced their survival capabilities and adaptability but also allowed them to obtain more abundant and diverse food resources with lower risks and costs. Ultimately, the accumulation of this wisdom and experience became an important factor in driving human evolution. In China, while zooarchaeological research is not as rich as that in South Africa, it reveals a clear pattern of subsistence preferences across various environmental settings, with adaptations to local conditions and the exploitation of animal resources. Recent findings in Guangxi show evidence of mollusca resources exploitation dating back to the Late Pleistocene. This paper provides a comprehensive review of Late Pleistocene zooarchaeological studies in China, suggesting that hominins had already begun to actively harness a variety of natural resources in their surroundings, with distinct subsistence patterns among ancient humans in different regions being evident. Given the intricate interplay between hominins and climates in China, it is important to conduct further zooarchaeological research to explore adaptive strategies within specific environmental contexts and to trace the evolution of human behavior. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An excavation report of the Shuidonggou Locality 9, Ningxia PENG Fei, CHEN Guo, PEI Shuwen, WANG Huimin, GAO Xing Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 283-294.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0089 Abstract （564）   HTML （58）    PDF（pc） （18287KB）（147）       Knowledge map    Save In 2007, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Ningxia Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Relics, initiated a formal excavation at Shuidonggou Locality 9. The excavation uncovered an area of 20 m2, revealing relatively thin cultural deposits that were situated directly beneath the surface soil layer. Over the course of the excavation, a total of 414 lithic artifacts were unearthed from this cultural layer. These findings suggest that while the lithic artifacts at SDG9 were largely in-situ burials, they had experienced some degree of post-depositional disturbance over time. A detailed analysis of the lithic assemblage revealed cultural characteristics at this site that were strikingly similar to those documented at SDG1, indicating a shared technological tradition. The predominant raw material used in the lithic assemblage was siliceous limestone, reflecting the local availability of resources and suggesting a pattern of raw material exploitation focused on efficiency. In addition to simple core-flake technology, researchers uncovered evidence of a more sophisticated technique involving the systematic production of elongated flakes and blades from prepared cores using hard hammer percussion. This advanced production method points to a deliberate technological choice aimed at maximizing material utility and reflects a highly organized approach to lithic reduction. Furthermore, artifacts related to bladelet production were also identified, providing valuable insights into the diversity of technological practices at the site. However, only three formal stone tools were recovered from the assemblage, suggesting a relatively narrow range of tool types present. Luminescence dating of the cultural layer yielded an approximate age of 29,000 years, although it was suggested that this date may have been underestimated due to the shallow burial of the artifacts, which may have led to some post-depositional alterations. The discovery of the SDG9 lithic assemblage provides yet another important example of blade production technology, closely resembling that documented at SDG1 and characteristic of Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) technology in this region. Despite the overall similarities, the SDG9 assemblage exhibits differences from SDG1, most notably the absence of prismatic and sub-prismatic cores, as well as fewer retouched pieces. Such disparities likely indicate regional variations and diversities in IUP assemblages across different sites at Shuidonggou. These findings contribute valuable material for advancing the study of blade technology in northern China, examining the cultural attributes associated with the Initial Upper Paleolithic, and shedding light on the broader behavioral evolution of prehistoric human populations inhabiting arid regions. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An experimental archaeological study of the formation causes of incomplete bones from the Wulanmulun site TANG Yimeng, LIU Yang, HOU Yamei Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 42-54.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0032 Abstract （558）   HTML （64）    PDF（pc） （10452KB）（192）       Knowledge map    Save Animal skeletons serve as valuable artifacts and crucial research targets in Paleolithic sites. Nevertheless, fragmented animal bones, especially those with species difficult to identify, have yet to receive adequate attention. The Wulanmulun site, a Middle Paleolithic site situated on the banks of the Wulanmulun River in Kangbashi New District, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, dates back to 65 kaBP ~ 50 kaBP. Since its discovery and excavation in 2010, a substantial number of stone artifacts and animal fossils have been unearthed. Currently, in-depth investigations have been carried out regarding lithic artifacts, zooarchaeology, and taphonomy at this site. Hence, we will concentrate on the abundant previously unstudied incomplete skeletons and explore their formation processes to uncover their associations with human behavior and natural burial. This paper centers on the 57,858 incomplete animal bone fossils excavated from the Wulanmulun site between 2010 and 2014, with the aim of probing into the formative factors of incomplete skeletal remains at the site. By means of quantitative analysis, experimental archaeology, and comparative analysis, we scrutinize the quantity and morphology of incomplete skeletal remains in an endeavor to elucidate the cultural traits and behavioral patterns of ancient humans. The findings suggest that: Firstly, the copious small-sized burned bones were presumably utilized as fuel instead of being the byproducts of roasting meat. Secondly, bone flakes, bone tools, and bone artifacts signify the activities of ancient humans in percussing and retouching bones, which differ from mere smashing for procuring food. Thirdly, through comparative analysis, it is deduced that marrow extraction and bone tool manufacturing coexisted at the Wulanmulun site, and the scarcity of 5 - 10 cm sized incomplete bones is correlated with the bone tool production activities of ancient humans. Fourthly, trampling experiments have verified that the fragmentation of bones caused by human and animal trampling is negligible and does not give rise to a large quantity of incomplete bones. Consequently, this study implies that the formation of a large number of incomplete bones at the Wulanmulun site is intimately tied to ancient human activities such as marrow extraction, bone tool manufacturing, and bone burning. The Wulanmulun site comprehensively mirrors the cognitive level and utilization of animal bone resources by ancient humans, who not only harnessed meat resources but also exploited bone resources for marrow consumption, bone tool production, and fuel, exhibiting an efficient resource utilization strategy. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Sex and age-at-death of the Yahuai Cave Man from the Late Pleistocene of Guangxi HE Letian, XIE Guangmao, LIN Qiang, LI Dawei, WU Xiujie Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (03): 389-403.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0034 Abstract （539）   HTML （76）    PDF（pc） （4375KB）（306）       Knowledge map    Save Obtaining accurate information about an individual’s sex and age at death constitutes the cornerstone of biological anthropological research. The estimation of adult sex from skeletal samples relies on two types of characteristics: those associated with functional differences between the sexes, and those manifested as variations in the size and shape of bones and teeth. Most methods for age estimation are based on the assessment of osteological degenerative changes. The identification of sex and age in human fossils often sparks controversy due to their evolutionary traits and preservation limitations, particularly when the hip bone is unavailable. This study utilized visual observation, measurement, and micro-CT scanning to examine the Late Pleistocene crania, mandible, and teeth (YH1) excavated from the Yahuai Cave site in Guangxi, southern China. Regarding non-metric characteristics, the cranial and mandibular morphology indicates that Yahuai 1 is more likely to be female. However, certain robusticity-related features are more pronounced in YH1 compared to most recent-modern females in East Asia. The sexual dimorphism observed in late Pleistocene human skulls differs from that of modern humans, as evidenced by cranio-facial metric features. Comparisons with late Pleistocene human skulls from East and Southeast Asia reveal that YH1 shows no obvious sexual dimorphism in craniometric characteristics. When compared with recent populations from the same region, YH1 is found to be larger in size, and exhibits similarity to recent female samples after size calibration. YH1 has a medium-sized mandible overall and a high corpus robusticity index, which is comparable to that of late Pleistocene and Neolithic females. In terms of age-at-death estimation, YH1 displayed a low degree of synostosis in the cranial sutures, and no age-associated features were observed. Moreover, by comparing with two Neolithic populations from South China, the relationship between dental wear and age estimation was adjusted. Collectively, these findings suggest that YH1 was not elderly, but rather a young adult aged between 30 and 40 years. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）