Abstract:

The Yuzuigou Paleolithic Locality 1 is located on the eastern edge of the Nihewan Basin along the north slope of the Datianwa platform and in the most northern part of the Majuangou Paleolithic site. In 2017 and 2018, an 80 m² excavation was carried out at the site, during which 7 cultural layers, 4 fossil layers, 207 stone artifacts, and abundant fossils were discovered. There are 152 stone artifacts specifically from the Yuzuigou Locality 1. Chert, dolomite, siliceous limestone and basalt are the main raw materials. Artifacts are divided into general types, such as hammers, cores, flakes, tools, fragments, chunks, or specifically scrapers, notches, points, borers, burins, and choppers. These lithics belong to a tradition of core-flake technology, and are part of the core-flake industry in northern China. The cultural layers of the locality are unambiguous, and some of these layers can be directly compared with the Majuangou site. Layers 7 and 4 correspond directly to layers 3 and 1 at the Majuangou site; according to dating with absolute age determinations at 1.66 MaBP and 1.55 MaBP, respectively. Seven cultural layers in different stages were found in the same sections or beds, including three newly found cultural layers. Some of the cultural layers at the Yuzuigou Paleolithic Locality 1 are very rich while others are not, which can give an important clues to lithic technology, and patterns of human livelihood in the early Pleistocene. With accurate chronology for this locality, abundant cultural connotations, many cultural layers accompanied by large numbers of stone artifacts and fossils, the Yuzuigou Paleolithic Locality 1 is the earliest Early Pleistocene site at Majuangou at present. It provides important materials for the emergence and evolutionary patterns of early human beings in East Asia. More comprehensive and elaborate archaeological investigation and excavation can bring more insight about this location.

Key words: Nihewan Basin, Majuangou Paleolithic Site, Stone Artifacts, Early Pleistocene, Core-flake Industry