Abstract: The cave site of Gaoping, Jianshi County is situated in an adjacent region of Jianshi, Badong and Wushan counties, which occupies the upper reach of Qingjiang river ( a southern branch of Changjiang river). According to Chinese geology, this area is in the northern margin of the Middle Yangtze Platform, with strata of carbonatite and detrital rock consisting of Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, and Triassic deposits. The well-developed Triassic System is mainly composed of limestone and dolomite. Tectonic movement and Cenozoic climate conditions were suitable for the development of the karst and the formation of the cave deposit. The Shanpen planation surface is well developed in this area resulting in the formation of many caves. An investigation and test excavation was conducted by staff from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Office for Cultural Relics Administration of Jianshi County between April 15 and May 11, 2008. About 16 caves were investigated by the team. It can be inferred that these Pleistocene cave deposits (Dongcao, Shenniu, Xiangshuizhai and Zuojiaxiao) were developed in bedrock between 700 and 950m, all of which could be excavated in the future. Test excavations outside of the Juyuan cave and in the Dayan cave indicate that a large number of mammalian fossils and hominid remains were probably buried, which could be studied in the near future.

Key words: Pleistocene; Cave investigation; Test excavation; Gaoping of Jianshi