Abstract: The Lingjing site in Xuchang country has been excavated from 2005 to 2017. Currently, more than 500 square meters have been dug within layer 11. Five human individuals, including two human crania, were found in trench 9 in 2007 and 2014 respectively. The human crania from Lingjing show a mosaic of features of archaic humans in China and Neanderthals in Europe, which may stimulate new consideration of the evolutionary trajectory of ancient humans in China. The lithic assemblage indicates that there are various types of cores, including small biconical discoidal cores. Tools are small in size and have discrete types and refined retouch, which differs with tool production in the Early Paleolithic but is similar to technology in the western Middle Paleolithic. Eight bone retouchers have been identified from the site. Both long bones and antler were used as bone retouchers to modify stone tools. The identification of bone retouchers sheds light on our understanding of human technological development in the Chinese Paleolithic age. Detailed study of bone retouchers or soft hammers in future may reveal their existence in other contemporary or even older sites. The study of site formation processes at Lingjing shows that there is differential modification of the stratigraphic horizons: the lowest level experienced relatively weak hydrodynamics, while the middle and upper levels exhibit relatively stronger hydraulic flows. Although disturbance is apparent, overall its extent is limited, and the site is in primary context. Future study of Lingjing will focus on these aspects: artistic behaviors of the humans, soft hammer and pressure retouching of the stone tools, and the taphonomy and chronology of the site.

Key words: Lingjing Xuchang Hominid site; Cultural layer 11; Human crania; Stone artifacts; Site formation processes