Abstract: The Dingcun site group, which has been continuously excavated for decades, is one of the most important Paleolithic areas in China. During the last 60 years, archaeological work at Dingcun has achieved many significant results. Since 2011, the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology has conducted archaeological surveys around Dingcun, and discovered some 100 Paleolithic sites including Jiulongdong, Guoshuidong and Laohupo. These three sites are located in the loess between the eastern Fen river and the Ta’er mountains. Through excavation, scholars inferred that Laohupo and Guoshuidong sites might have functioned as living camps, and Jiulongdong as a lithic workshop. This new evidence provides us important clues and precious material to better interpret the region and routes as well as activities of early humans. A great number of lithic artifacts and archaeological sites have been uncovered in the valley from (southeast to northwest) Beijian gully, Sha’nv gully to Shangzhuang gully, which connects with the south hill of Dagudui Mountain with exposed hornfels bedrock. In contrast, signs of human activities were scarce in the Beizhai and Chaicun gullies. These geological discoveries clearly indicate the preference and reliance of hornfels as raw materials for the early occupants at Dingcun.

Key words: Dingcun; Taphonomy; Lithics; Refitting