Abstract:

The Huyao cave site is situated in Xiyang County, Shanxi Province, approximately 1 km to the southeast of the village of Heshang, in the foothills of the Yangzhao River on the west bank. It is located in a narrow gully within the transition zone of a small basin, within a limestone cave. The cave entrance is oriented in a southeast direction, with an outward-facing opening that is nearly arched in shape. The roof of the cave exhibits a gradual decrease in height from the exterior to the interior. The entrance to the cave is situated at the front of the structure, which is relatively flat and open. The surface is covered by modern sediments and scattered with huge collapsed limestone hills. The posterior aspect of the formation can be subdivided into two regions, namely the eastern and western sectors. Additionally, two minor depressions are discernible in the western portion of the hillock. The western accumulation is primarily composed of yellow powdery sandy clay with hard soil, sandstone, limestone, quartz, and other gravels. No cultural remains were observed, which may have been transported by the Yangzhao River. The eastern section of the site represents the primary area of human activity, exhibiting a slightly thicker deposit. The upper portion of this deposit is a modern deposit, approximately 5 cm in thickness, while the lower portion is a greyish-brown chalky sandy clay, interspersed with multiple layers of ash. This deposit contains a substantial quantity of stone artifacts, animal bones, burnt bones, and other materials. The site was first identified in 1986, and in the same year, Chen Zheying and colleagues conducted a preliminary excavation, recovering 39 stone artifacts from the cave and uncovering a limited number of animal and burnt bone fragments.

In the course of the investigation conducted in 2022, a total of 321 stone products, five bone artifacts and decorations, and a considerable quantity of animal bone fragments, burnt bones, and ostrich egg shell fragments were collected. The raw material of the stone artifacts is predominantly veined quartz, with a minor component of siliceous rock and quartzite also present. The hammering and smashing methods of flaking are both significant techniques. A variety of tool types are present, the majority of tools are scrapers, followed by notches, points, denticulates and so forth. The repair method is based on the hard hammer reverse repair, which is an example of an expedient technique. The bone tools are all scrapers, and a small number of bone fragments with incised marks and bone ornaments are also present. The lithic industry is characterized by the traditional small flake industry observed in the northern region. The two animal bones accompanying the stone artifacts were subjected to ¹⁴C dating, which yielded a date of 42440~41557 BP and 35255~34421 BP. These dates are indicative of the early Upper Paleolithic. Bone fragments with engraved marks, perforated decorations, and other elements of modern human behavior with spiritual symbols unearthed at the site have enriched the landscape of modern human remains, and are of greater significance in exploring the emergence and spread of modern humans in China.

Key words: Huyao Cave site, stone industry, Late Paleolithic