Preliminary report on the excavation of Qianshangying-B Paleolithic site at Yuxian in the Nihewan Basin

doi:10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0109

Abstract

Abstract:

The Nihewan Basin of northern China preserves extensive Quaternary fluvio-lacustrine and loess sequences and hosts one of the highest concentrations of Palaeolithic sites in East Asia. While Early Pleistocene hominin activity in this region has been extensively studied, Middle Pleistocene sites remain rare and less understood. This study reports new evidence from the Locality B of Qianshangying site (QSY-B), discovered in 2015, with a focus on its geology, stratigraphy, chronology, stone artifacts assemblage, and human lithic technological strategies.

Geomorphological and sedimentological data show that the archaeo-stratigraphic sequence captures a full cycle of lake expansion, retreat, re-expansion, and final regression of the Nihewan paleolake, capped by Malan loess. Hominin occupation occurred in a marginal lacustrine setting during a low lake-level episode. QSY-B represents a brief, single-phase occupation, with minor post-depositional disturbance by gentle hydraulic event. The integrity of the assemblage allows for detailed technological and behavioral reconstruction.

ESR dating of sediments from the archaeological layer suggests that hominins occupied the site around 429 ± 39 ka, placing it firmly within the Middle Pleistocene. Geological surveys indicate that hominins procured raw materials—primarily lava and siliceous dolomite—from source 7-8 km away from the site. The lithic assemblage is marked by hard-hammer percussion, efficient core reduction, and abundant flakes, which bear traces of direct use without modification. A notable feature is the diverse range of retouched tools, contrasting with Early Pleistocene local industries and suggesting increased technological flexibility and environmental adaptability of early humans.

Faunal remains bearing cut marks further attest to animal processing activities. The findings from QSY-B enhance our understanding of hominin behavior during the Middle Pleistocene and offer new perspectives on the long sequence of technological evolution and adaptive strategies of early humans in the Nihewan Basin.

Key words: Qiangshangying B site, lake shore environment, lithic technological flexibility, Middle Pleistocene, Nihewan Basin

CLC Number:

K871

YE Zhi, PEI Shuwen, MA Dongdong, JIA Zhenxiu, WANG Fagang, YANG Haiyong. Preliminary report on the excavation of Qianshangying-B Paleolithic site at Yuxian in the Nihewan Basin[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2026, 45(03): 515-531.

Figures/Tables 9

References 47

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原料Raw Material 石制品类型Types of stone artifacts		火山岩Lava		硅质白云岩Dolomite		燧石Chert		其他Other		总计Sum
原料Raw Material 石制品类型Types of stone artifacts		数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent
剥离类 Detached	石片Flake	83	77.6%	19	17.8%	1	0.9%	4	3.7%	107	40.2%
	碎片Flake fragment	39	75.0%	5	9.6%	5	9.6%	3	5.8%	52	19.5%
	断块Angular fragment	23	57.5%	14	35.0%	1	2.5%	2	5.0%	40	15.0%
	小计Total	145	72.9%	38	19.1%	7	3.5%	9	4.5%	199	74.8%
剥片类 Flaked	石核Core	14	58.3%	9	37.5%	0	0.0%	1	4.2%	24	9.0%
	石核断块Core fragment	8	72.7%	2	18.2%	1	9.1%	0	0.0%	11	4.1%
	石球Spheroid	2	100.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	2	0.8%
	修理石器Retouched tool	15	53.6%	7	25.0%	1	3.6%	5	17.9%	28	10.5%
	小计Total	39	60.0%	18	27.7%	2	3.1%	6	9.2%	65	24.4%
打击类 Pounded	石锤Hammer stone	0	0.0%	2	100.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	2	0.8%
打击类 Pounded	总计Total	184	69.2%	58	21.8%	9	3.4%	15	5.6%	266	100.0%

原料Raw Material 石制品类型Types of stone artifacts		火山岩Lava		硅质白云岩Dolomite		燧石Chert		其他Other		总计Sum
原料Raw Material 石制品类型Types of stone artifacts		数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent	数量n	占比Percent
剥离类 Detached	石片Flake	83	77.6%	19	17.8%	1	0.9%	4	3.7%	107	40.2%
	碎片Flake fragment	39	75.0%	5	9.6%	5	9.6%	3	5.8%	52	19.5%
	断块Angular fragment	23	57.5%	14	35.0%	1	2.5%	2	5.0%	40	15.0%
	小计Total	145	72.9%	38	19.1%	7	3.5%	9	4.5%	199	74.8%
剥片类 Flaked	石核Core	14	58.3%	9	37.5%	0	0.0%	1	4.2%	24	9.0%
	石核断块Core fragment	8	72.7%	2	18.2%	1	9.1%	0	0.0%	11	4.1%
	石球Spheroid	2	100.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	2	0.8%
	修理石器Retouched tool	15	53.6%	7	25.0%	1	3.6%	5	17.9%	28	10.5%
	小计Total	39	60.0%	18	27.7%	2	3.1%	6	9.2%	65	24.4%
打击类 Pounded	石锤Hammer stone	0	0.0%	2	100.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	2	0.8%
打击类 Pounded	总计Total	184	69.2%	58	21.8%	9	3.4%	15	5.6%	266	100.0%