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Hominin and human dispersals in palaeolithic East Asia Robin DENNELL Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 132-164.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0044 Abstract （1554）   HTML （133）    PDF（pc） （18292KB）（962）       Knowledge map    Save Dispersals, colonisation, immigration and population assimilation or replacement are fundamental themes in the Palaeolithic record of East Asia. Some of these issues can be studied within a biogeographic framework that explains why and how the distribution of hominin species changed over time and space in response to climatic and environmental change. Because hominins (and especially humans) can change their behaviour through technical, social and cognitive developments, biogeographic models also have to incorporate this factor when investigating dispersals. This is particularly important with the dispersals in East Asia by Homo sapiens into rainforests, across open sea to off-shore islands, to the Arctic and the highest parts of the Tibetan Plateau. This paper suggests how hominin and human dispersals in East Asia might be investigated by using a biogeographic framework that can incorporate changes in hominin adaptability and behaviour. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A study overview on tooth wear in ancient populations LI Haijun, ZENG Yuxin, ADILIJIANG Waili, NUERMAIMAITI Kadier, ZHANG Hailong, LI Wenying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 333-351.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0081 Abstract （1156）   HTML （63）    PDF（pc） （9126KB）（1299）       Knowledge map    Save Tooth wear is closely related to human subsistence activities and is a common physiological phenomenon observed on human remains excavated from archaeological sites. It possesses significant research value in fields such as physical anthropology and archaeology. Currently, numerous scholars both at home and abroad have conducted research on tooth wear in ancient populations, yielding a wealth of findings. However, a systematic review is still lacking. This paper reviews and summarizes the common types and influencing factors of tooth wear in ancient inhabitants based on relevant research results from both domestic and international sources. Macroscopically, tooth wear can present morphologically as flat, oblique, rounded, spoon-shaped, cup-shaped, and groove wear. Microscopically, it can be further classified into striations and pits. Factors influencing tooth wear include age, food structure, food processing techniques, socioeconomic types, and specific human behavioral patterns that may lead to distinctive wear phenomena. Moreover, factors such as chewing methods, chewing frequency, occlusal relationships between the upper and lower jaws, and the developmental status of teeth also affect tooth wear to a certain extent. Research on tooth wear can be applied to infer the individual age at death, explore the dietary structure and socioeconomic patterns of ancient populations, elucidate ancient labor behaviors and social division of labor, reconstruct the patterns of weaning and feeding in children, as well as the functional restoration of occlusal relationships between the upper and lower dental arches. Based on differences in research purposes and subjects, the academic community has proposed specialized observation methods and grading standards for evaluating the degree of tooth wear. Nevertheless, there is currently no unified grading method or standard for tooth wear. Overall, exploring the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of ancient populations from different archaeological sites in China through tooth wear is a major research focus of ancient human tooth wear studies in China. Significant research achievements have revealed the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of populations from various archaeological sites. In terms of time, these sites are mainly concentrated from the Neolithic Age to the early Iron Age. Geographically, research on tooth wear in ancient Chinese populations is mainly distributed in the Central Plains and the northwestern border regions of China, with relatively fewer studies in the southern regions. Compared with international research, domestic studies on ancient human tooth wear still face limitations such as narrow research perspectives, lack diversity in research focus and homogeneous content. Future research could benefit from innovations in research fields, ideas, and methods to fill the gaps and achieve further progress. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Reduction patterns and assemblage of the Levallois technology WANG Xiaoyu, GAO Xing Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 1-13.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0067 Abstract （1117）   HTML （144）    PDF（pc） （1137KB）（912）       Knowledge map    Save Levallois technology, denominated after the Levallois-Perret site located in the northern suburbs of Paris, France, was initially recognized and demarcated by the archaeologist Henri Breuil. This particular technology, which necessitates the fabrication of specific flake products through core preparation, forms a distinctive hallmark of the Middle Paleolithic epoch in the western region of the Old World (referred to as the Middle Stone Age in the African context). It epitomizes the primary technological expression of Mode 3 preformed cores within Clark’s five-mode technological classification system. Marked by the pre-shaping of cores and the generation of specialized flake varieties, Levallois technology held sway in the Mousterian industrial complex. Levallois technology originally sprang up during the late phase of the Lower Paleolithic Acheulian industry and subsequently experienced further progression within the Mousterian technological paradigm during the Middle Paleolithic period. The incidence and application of Levallois technology exhibited pronounced variations among diverse Paleolithic assemblages; nevertheless, it unfailingly materialized in a multitude of stone tool industries spanning the Near East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This lithic technology was noteworthy for its elaborate preforming sequence and the production of standardized implements, attesting to the elevated cognitive capabilities of ancient humans. As a result, this technology is routinely contemplated in the reconstructions of human intellectual evolution, given that it intimates advanced powers of conceptualization, abstraction, intelligence, and language. In contradistinction to its widespread prevalence in other regions, the documentary evidence of Levallois technology in China remains comparatively scant, attributable to the paucity of archaeological vestiges. Some scholars previously attributed the deficiency of Levallois technology in East Asia to meager effective population sizes and the absence of the Acheulian heritage. However, in recent years, with the strides made in archaeological excavations, the discovery of artifacts embodying Levallois technology at Chinese sites has galvanized the attention of the academic fraternity. Indicative Levallois artifacts have been unearthed at several locations in northern China, especially in areas proximate to Russia and Mongolia. These sites, dating back approximately 50,000 to 40,000 years ago, include Shuidonggou, Jinsitai, and Tongtian Cave. These findings have subverted prior assumptions and furnished novel vantage points for grasping technological assemblages, technological dissemination, as well as the divergences from representative sites of the late Middle Pleistocene and early Late Pleistocene in northern China. This paper strives to introduce and encapsulate the Levallois concepts, products, and idiosyncratic traits of the reduction pattern. It clarifies the extant evidence of Levallois technology unearthed in China and the characteristics of the affiliated industries. By dint of this endeavor, we aspire to proffer valuable perspectives for further research undertakings. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Exploration of "behavioral modernity” and “modern human behavior” in human evolution YANG Shixia Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 181-192.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0014 Abstract （1038）   HTML （167）    PDF（pc） （5590KB）（673）       Knowledge map    Save The evolution and widespread of Homo sapiens is a key event in the human evolution history. By the end of the Late Pleistocene, our species was distributed across every continent except Antarctica, and adopted to varied ecological niches. The behavioral complexity and the cultural diversity are believed to act as one of the most pronounced abilities to get success. The fossil and genetic evidence were applied to discuss the extinction of archaic populations, such as the Denisovans and the Neanderthals and their complicated interbreeding with Homo sapiens. The archaeological records served on the discussion about the behavioral evolution from the emergence of “behavioral complexity or modernity’ to the fully developed modern human ‘behavioral package’. In this paper, we reviewed the discussion on the modern human behavioral evolution in the western side of the Old World. Based on the African archaeological records, the behavioral origins of Homo sapiens can be traced back to the first material culture produced by our species in Africa and phased as Middle Stone Age (MSA); while the western Eurasian records the behavioral complexity raised with the origin of Neanderthals and phased as Middle Paleolithic (MP). Then around the middle of Late Pleistocene, as the wide distribution of Homo sapiens and the extinction of archaic populations, a complete ‘modernity package’ finally developed and shows more cultural diversity globally, which including the advanced lithic tools (blade, microblade), bone tools, increased geographic range, specialized hunting, the use of aquatic resources, long distance exchange, systematic processing and use of pigment, and art and decoration. However, recently in Eastern Asia efforts were made to explore the complexity of the ‘behavioral complexity or modernity’, the technological innovations and behavioral adaptations process are still barely known. The lithic assemblages have long been regarded as simple, conservative technologies, and major changes in raw material procurement, core reduction, retouch and typology tended to be clustered until 40 kaBP, without a ‘middle phase’ showing distinguished transition. These years, facing with the high degree of hominin morphological variability which has been suggested by recent fossil and genetic evidence, such as the early modern humans, Denisovans, H. longi, and some other unassigned taxons (Xujiayao and Xuchang), and growing new archeological data, we need to rethink the ‘behavioral modernity’ process happened in Eastern Aisa and its application to the evolutionary history of our species worldwide. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Fossil carnivora from the Hualongdong Site Loc.1 and their chronological and paleoenvironmental implications JIANGZUO Qigao, LIU Boxuan, LIU Sitong, HE Letian, TONG Haowen Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (05): 836-849.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0064 Abstract （940）   HTML （33）    PDF（pc） （5393KB）（203）       Knowledge map    Save The Hualongdong Hominid Site is an important locality for ancient human fossils in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China, where several well-preserved ancient human fossils and many mammal fossils have been discovered. This paper systematically studies the Carnivora fossils excavated from Hualong Cave from 2014 to 2024, including 8 families, 14 genera, and 17 species, including Cuon alpinus, Ursus thibetanus, Ursus arctos, Ailuropoda melanoleuca baconi, Arctonyx cf. collaris, Catopuma teilhardi, Prionailurus kurteni, Prionailurus sp., Panthera tigris, Panthera pardus, Neofelis nebulosa, Prionodon hualongensis sp. nov., Pachycrocuta brevirostris sinensis, Crocuta ultima, Viverra zibetha, Paguma larvata, Urva urva. Felidae are the most diverse family, with six species coexisted, ranging from about 1kg P. kurteni to around 200 kg P. tigris. Ursidae are also diversified, with three species, and two of them, U. thibetanus and A. m. baconi are the two abundant carnivore species in the fauna. Among these species, the newly identified species of linsang (Prionodon hualongensis) is the first fossil species discovered from the genus Prionodon, characteristic by having large body size, robust dentition and mandible, wide m1 protocone and m1 talonid, indicating a diet comprising more hard tissue. The presence of the abundant spotted hyena, indicating that the site is older than Zhoukoudian Loc.1 (very rare and only present in the upmost layer). On the other hand, the morphology of the brown bear and the golden cat is similar to those from the Zhoukoudian Loc.1, and the morphology of the dhole (relatively distinct m1 entoconid) and the hog-nosed badger (relatively large m1 paraconid) appears slightly more primitive than that of modern population. The archaic element giant hyena Pachycrocuta is still present in the locality, and there are also several extinct species, including the Hualong linsang and the Kurten's leopard cat. In summary, the composition and evolutionary level of carnivore guild from the Hualongdong site supports a late Middle Pleistocene age, which aligns with the results of previous dating. The Hualongdong carnivore guild mainly composes of species typical of woodland areas (no specific temperature preference), such as the dhole and the Asian black bear, followed by typical southern China components like the giant panda and the clouded leopard. However, there are also typical North China components, notably the brown bear, indicating a mosaic habitat primarily dominated by forests. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Skull morphology of the residents from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery in Luochuan, Shaanxi LING Liangyou, SUN Zhanwei, LI Nan, CHENG Zhihan, RAN Zhiyu, HE Jianing Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 66-77.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0056 Abstract （838）   HTML （76）    PDF（pc） （59865KB）（168）       Knowledge map    Save Located on the southern edge of the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province, the Yuejiazhuang cemetery stands out as the northernmost burial site for Qin residents and thus holds profound significance. In this research endeavor, the craniofacial traits of human skulls unearthed from this cemetery were meticulously analyzed by employing the methodologies delineated in the “Anthropometric Manual”. Through painstaking measurement and close observation of 141 skull specimens, we successfully deciphered the craniofacial morphology characteristic of the Yuejiazhuang inhabitants. The analytical outcomes disclosed a blend of medium and high cranial forms, narrow frontal aspects, medium to wide facial configurations, medium nasal shapes, as well as medium orbital features. Notwithstanding this discovery, the morphological analysis based on multivariate statistical techniques ascertained that the Yuejiazhuang residents were affiliated with the East Asian Mongolian ethnic group. Further comparative studies were conducted with individuals from the Bronze Age by means of principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. These investigations demonstrated that the Yuejiazhuang residents exhibited closer genetic affinities with those in the central Shaanxi Plain and more remote connections with their counterparts in southern Shanxi Province. Additionally, the multivariate statistical analysis hinted at the presence of specific cranial morphological discrepancies among the populations of the Qin and Jin regions during the Warring States period. Moreover, the flexed-burial customs and the accompanying grave goods discovered at the Yuejiazhuang cemetery vividly and typically mirrored the cultural elements of the Qin Dynasty. Historical records also attest that since the mid-Warring States period, the Qin state had frequently implemented population relocation policies, transplanting inhabitants to newly conquered areas to augment political governance. By integrating these elements, it can be deduced that the principal genetic constituents of the Yuejiazhuang residents predominantly stemmed from the Qin people who migrated from the Central Shaanxi Plain during the middle to late Warring States period. The Yuejiazhuang Cemetery offers invaluable perspectives into the cultural and genetic fabric of the Qin population throughout the Warring States era. Furthermore, the practice of flexed burials and the variety of artifacts interred with the deceased at Yuejiazhuang furnish additional corroboration for the historical accounts of Qin migration and resettlement strategies. These policies were presumably part of a more extensive blueprint designed to fortify Qin’s dominion over newly acquired lands by assimilating the local populace with Qin settlers, thereby safeguarding political and social stability. The genetic evidence gleaned from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery, when combined with archaeological and historical data, paints a comprehensive tableau of population migrations and cultural amalgamation during the Warring States period. It accentuates the pivotal role of state policies in molding the demographic panorama of ancient China, especially through the migration and settlement of Qin people from the central plains to peripheral regions. This synthesis of genetic, archaeological, and historical proof enriches our comprehension of the intricate social dynamics and interactions that typified the Warring States period, spotlighting the profound impact of migration on the cultural and genetic constitution of ancient Chinese populations. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Taphonomy of the animal remains from the Shiyu site, Shanxi WANG Ying, ZHANG Yue, YANG Shixia, ZHANG Shuangquan Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 255-269.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0098 Abstract （800）   HTML （75）    PDF（pc） （10505KB）（197）       Knowledge map    Save The Shiyu site, situated on the western edge of the Nihewan basin (sensu lato) is an important Late Pleistocene archaeological location in northern China. From an extensive excavation in the last century, a substantial number of lithics, animal bones, and the traces of human fire use were unearthed, along with a limited number of modern human fossils. Recent Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating have recalibrated the cultural layer to approximately 44.6±1.2 kaBP. The presence of artifacts with some characteristics of the Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) assemblage positions Shiyu as a crucial site for understanding early modern human activities in Northeast Asia. In this study, 152 faunal bone fragments curated at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) were analyzed from a perspective of vertebrate taphonomy, including age profile assessment, skeletal elements frequency quantification, bone breakage pattern analysis and bone surface modification observation. The objective of this study is to evaluate and discuss the subsistence strategies employed by Shiyu hominins in their exploitation of animal resources. Given the limited sample size, the following tentative conclusions were derived from this research. Most notably, bone surface modifications revealed a relatively high intensity of human activity, evidenced by a significant frequency of human-inflict damages on bones, including cut marks, percussion marks, and percussion notches. In contrast, natural modifications such as carnivore or rodent tooth marks, sedimentary abrasions, and polish were minimal. Even when considering the potential biases in specimen selection, the evidence strongly supported that humans were the predominate agent of bone accumulation and modification at the site. Furthermore, both bone surface modifications and skeletal elements frequency implied that foragers were most probably engaged in primary butchery of animal carcasses at the site, and subsequently transported selected skeletal elements to a base camp for further processing. The Shiyu site thus can be broadly interpreted as a river-adjacent kill-butchery site. Additionally, we identified a selection of limb bone fragments with distinctive percussive marks as a kind of expedient bone tools, known as bone retouchers. However, regarding the bone fragments from the site previously suspected by some scholars to be bone tools due to their successive scars, it is more reasonable to conclude that these were merely unintended by-products of marrow extraction processes. It is also worth mentioning that a few deliberately produced linear marks were discovered, clearly distinguishable from typical butchery cut marks, undoubtedly reflecting symbolic behaviors and the complexity of human activities to a certain degree. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Chronological studies of the Xuetangliangzi hominin fossil site in Hubei Province HUA Jiequn, GE Junyi, LU Chengqiu, SHEN Zhongshan, XING Song, LU zeji, GAO Xing, DENG Chenglong Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 316-332.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0015 Abstract （782）   HTML （79）    PDF（pc） （26670KB）（186）       Knowledge map    Save As a key area for the occupation and dispersal of Homo erectus, a large number of Pleistocene H. erectus fossils have been discovered in East Asia. This provides specific advantages for understanding the evolution and dispersal of H. erectus on our planet. However, so far, the scarcity and poor preservation of the early H. erectus fossils ever found in China, especially the lack of completely preserved skull fossils, significantly hinder our knowledge of the evolutionary history of East Asian H. erectus and its evolutionary systematic status. Three relatively well-preserved early H. erectus skull fossils have been unearthed from the Xuetangliangzi (Yunxian hominin) site in Hubei province. These fossils hold considerable promise for elucidating this species’ evolutionary trajectory, migratory patterns, and environmental adaptability in East Asia. Consequently, establishing an accurate chronological framework for these fossils is deemed essential. Since these skull fossils are of great significance for understanding the evolution, dispersal, and environmental adaptations of East Asian H. erectus, establishing a precise chronological framework for these fossils seems to be vitally important. In this study, the previous studies on the stratigraphic and geochronological dating of the Yunxian hominin site were systematically reviewed and examined to analyze the potential problematic issues. At least five levels of terraces are recognizable in the Yunxian hominin site area, and the WT section which was mostly focused on by previous studies may not correspond to the terrace on which the hominin fossils were discovered. Therefore, this discrepancy suggests that many dating efforts, particularly paleomagnetic analyses, may not reliably reflect the site’s antiquity. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating of mammalian remains from the same stratum provides a minimum age estimate for the Yunxian hominin fossils. Furthermore, the incomplete characterization of the mammalian fauna associated with the site complicates faunal comparisons, thereby affecting the chronological assessment. Based on this conclusion and integrating regional geomorphological and geochronological data, we propose that disparities in sampling resolution, experimental methodologies, analytical precision, and sample integrity may contribute to the existing controversies. However, the most significant factor undermining the chronological reliability of the Yunxian hominin site is the tenuous nature of regional stratigraphic correlations. Additionally, geochronological datings on the terraces along the Han River indicate that T4 to T1 terraces developed at approximately 55,220,780 and 1,300,000 BP, respectively. The formation of the T4 terrace, where the Yunxian hominin site is located, sets a maximum age constraint for the site. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the temporal distribution of hominin occupations in this region could yield pivotal evidence for correlating the Yunxian hominin fossil with potential cultural affiliations to Paleolithic sites along the river. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An excavation report of the Yahuai Cave site in Long’an, Guangxi XIE Guangmao, LIN Qiang, YU Minghui, LU Jieying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (03): 365-388.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0046 Abstract （776）   HTML （86）    PDF（pc） （8486KB）（363）       Knowledge map    Save The Yahuai Cave site is situated at a limestone tower near Bolang Village, Long’an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, South China (107°45′35″E, 23°6′25″N). It is a prehistoric site predominantly characterized by Palaeolithic deposits. Between 2015 and 2018, the Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relic Protection and Archaeology carried out excavations at this site. Four areas, namely A, B, C, and D, were opened, with a total exposure area of 50 m². A burial containing a complete Palaeolithic human skull was discovered. A multitude of cultural remains, such as chipped stone tools, ground stone tools, shell and bone artifacts, and potsherds, were unearthed. The majority of the stone tools are made of small quartz sandstone, tektite, chert, or crystal stones, exhibiting features typical of the “core-flake industry” commonly found in North China. Three hearths and an ash pit were identified, suggesting frequent fire usage at the site. Ochres were found throughout all cultural layers, and some of them were discovered to be ground into powder. Numerous bones of terrestrial and aquatic animals were excavated. The site was dated using the AMS 14C dating method to a period between 43,000 and 4,000 BP cal. Four cultural phases were recognized, with phases 1~3 belonging to the Palaeolithic period and phase 4 to the Neolithic period. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Hunting behavior of Hualongdong Hominid based on the teeth of gaur LIU Boxuan, LIU Sitong, JIN Zetian, DENG Guodong, WU Xiujie Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (05): 862-873.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0076 Abstract （764）   HTML （30）    PDF（pc） （1942KB）（144）       Knowledge map    Save The Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County, Anhui Province has yielded abundant hominin fossils along with numerous mammalian bones and teeth. Among the large mammal fossils unearthed at the site, cervid remains are the most common, followed by those of large bovids. To investigate the relationship between the Hualongdong hominins and these mammals, this study focuses on the gaur [Bos (Bibos) sp.] dental fossils excavated from the site between 2014 and 2024. The subgenus Bos (Bibos) represents an extinct group of the Bos (Bibos) sp., distinct from extant Bos frontalis. Fossils of these bovids are frequently found in Pleistocene cave sites in southern China, with a temporal range spanning from the Early to the Late Pleistocene. In this study, the dental sequence was first identified, and the tooth dimensions were measured and compared with those of bovids from other sites as well as extant gaur. Based on this analysis, the minimum number of individuals (MNI) was calculated. The age-at-death was estimated using crown height measurements, and age groups were classified to construct the mortality profile. The mortality pattern of the Hualongdong bovids was identified using a ternary diagram and its possible causes inferred through comparative analysis. The results indicate that: 1) A total of 1,205 bovid teeth were unearthed, including 139 incisors (Including incisiform canines), 202 fragmented cheek teeth, and 864 complete and measurable cheek teeth (69 deciduous teeth and 795 permanent teeth); 2) The MNI was estimated at 53, based on the combination of 39 left M3s and 14 right DP3s; 3) The tooth dimensions of the Hualongdong bovids most closely resemble those of Bos (Bibos) gaurus from the Bailong Cave site; 4) Using a quadratic crown height equation for permanent teeth and a linear equation for deciduous teeth, the age distribution of the Hualongdong bovids was determined to be 38% juveniles, 44% prime adults, and 18% old adults; 5) The age profile plotted on a ternary diagram closely aligns with that of extant wild gaur and European bison, indicating a catastrophic mortality pattern; 6) The relatively high proportion of juveniles suggests that the Hualongdong hominins may have employed multiple hunting strategies, such as a combination of non-selective ambush and endurance hunting, or that they may have targeted more juvenile bovids during the breeding season. Teeth are among the most well-preserved animal remains at archaeological sites and contain rich information about the animals themselves. By analyzing the dental fossils of large bovids from Hualongdong, this study reconstructs their mortality profile and provides new evidence for interpreting the hunting behavior of the Hualongdong hominins. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Stone artifacts unearthed from the Nainaimiaogou site of Nihewan Basin in 2015 XU Jianwei, LIU Lianqiang, CHENG Xiaoyu, ZHAO Yongsheng, HOU Jiaqi, WANG Fagang Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (04): 556-567.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0082 Abstract （758）   HTML （58）    PDF（pc） （5460KB）（122）       Knowledge map    Save The Nainaimiaogou paleolithic site, located in the north of Datianwa platform on the eastern edge of Nihewan Basin, was discovered and excavated the area 24 m2 by the research team from the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in 2015. In these excavations, 229 pieces of stone artifacts and 153 pieces of fossils were found within two cultural layers. The stone artifacts exhibit slight abrasion, and numerous small artifacts are clearly visible. These features suggest that the artifacts were buried in their original location The raw materials for the stone artifacts mainly include chert, volcanic lava, dolomite, tuff, quartz and other similar materials, all of which are found in the exposed bedrock and river alluvium near the site, suggesting they were sourced locally. The stone artifacts were categorized into cores, flakes, tools, stocks, chunks. Hammering was the primary method for flaking, with a small number of artifacts specifically designed for bipolar technology. Most of the flakes and tools are small, with relatively few tools such as scrapers, serrations, points, notched pieces, and borers. These characteristics are closely linked to the long-standing tradition of core-flake technology prevalent in Northern China. The Nainaimiaogou Paleolithic site exhibits numerous technological similarities to the nearby Xiaochangliang site. Buried within the Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, the site shares the same sedimentary unit as Xiaochangliang, Dachangliang, and Shanshenmiaozui sites. However, its stratigraphic position is significantly higher. It likely corresponds to the Jaramillo or adjacent strata, dating back to approximately 1.0 million years ago, aligning with the chronology of the Huojiadi and Donggutuo sites in the region. The site comprises two closely cultural layers, one above the other. The northern region of the Datianwa platform has a long history of Paleolithic archaeological work, including thorough investigations, excavations, and research. Over 50 Paleolithic sites from various stages of the Early Pleistocene have been uncovered in this region, establishing it as the densest and most culturally comprehensive locale for human cultural relics dating back over one million years in East Asia. The discovery of the Nainaimiaogou Paleolithic site has significantly enhanced the understanding of the cultural context of Early Pleistocene paleoanthropological artifacts in the Nihewan Basin. It offers crucial insights into tracing paleoanthropological activities within the same region and stratigraphic layer, thereby expanding the existing knowledge of behavioral patterns and habitation styles during this period. Furthermore, the discovery and research of this site and surrounding archaeological sites possess academic value in advancing the understanding of human evolution and cultural development during the Early Pleistocene. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Skull morphology and ethnic origin of the people from the Beishenjiaqiao cemetery in Xi’an WANG Shu, WANG Chunxue, ZHANG Xiangyu, ZHOU Yawei Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 78-91.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0069 Abstract （753）   HTML （46）    PDF（pc） （16539KB）（168）       Knowledge map    Save The Beishenjiaqiao cemetery, located in Yanta District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, is a burial ground of the Qin people during the Warring States Period on the Guanzhong Plain. Through the observation and measurement of 63 basically intact skulls unearthed from this cemetery, the following conclusions have been reached: The Beishenjiaqiao group exhibits a combination of mesocranium, high cranial vault, and narrow cranial shape, along with a relatively broad facial type. The maxillary central incisors are mostly spade-shaped, and the canine fossae and nasal root concavities are weakly developed. In comparison with modern Asian Mongoloid groups, it shows the closest affinity with the Fushun group, North China group, and South China group, while maintaining a greater distance from the Mongolian group and Turgus group. Therefore, the inhabitants of Beishenjiaqiao should be classified as the East Asian Mongoloid race. When contrasted with ancient groups in the early pre-Qin period, the Beishenjiaqiao group is closely related to the residents of the “ancient Central Plains type” such as the Yangshao Merged group, Miaodigou group, Taosi group, Chengzi Phase II group, and Dawenkou group, and is also proximate to the residents of the “ancient North China type” like the Miaozigou group. In comparison with ancient groups of the Bronze-early Iron Age, it has a strong connection with the Yin Shang groups such as the Small and Medium Tombs Group 2 and Group C of the Yin ruins, as well as the Qin and Zhou groups including the Wanli group, the Wayaogou group, and the Matengkong group. Considering the long-term and close associations between the residents of Beishenjiaqiao and those in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, especially the closer relationship with the Yin Shang group, and in combination with literature research and other multidisciplinary evidence, it is hypothesized that the Qin people might have been one of the tribes of the Yin Shang group, thereby corroborating the “theory of originating from the east”. Based on the records in the Tsinghua Bamboo Slips “Chronicle”, we can deduce the development trajectory of the Qin people: The Qin might have initially been an eastern ethnic group, either closely affiliated with or even an integral part of the Yin-Shang tribes. After the fall of the Shang Dynasty, they were banished by the Zhou people to the northwest to defend against the Rong tribes. During this period, they coexisted and interacted with the Rong, leading to cultural and genetic exchanges. However, the main body of the Qin people retained numerous cultural traditions and physical characteristics from the Yin-Shang era. In contrast, the Qin people who assimilated into the Gansu-Qinghai region, such as the residents of Maojiaping, perpetuated more of the local physical traits. In the late Western Zhou period, the Qin were rewarded for their efforts in safeguarding the Zhou royal family during its eastward migration and subsequently took control of the Guanzhong region, further enhancing the interaction and integration among the groups along the Yellow River basin. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Development and utilization of the animal ribs in Paleolithic period TANG Yimeng, LIU Yang Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 220-229.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0080 Abstract （735）   HTML （44）    PDF（pc） （3123KB）（176）       Knowledge map    Save Animal bones are important resources available to ancient humans. In addition to lithic artifacts, faunal remains are the most common archaeological evidence in Paleolithic sites. Ribs, as an important component of animal bones, are exploited and utilized by ancient humans in many ways. They were not only processed into various types of tools and ornaments, but also consumed as bone fat and employed as fuel. Ribs are one of the important raw materials for the production of bone artifacts. Understanding the utilization of ribs is of great significance for studying the development strategies of ancient humans in the Paleolithic Age who used animal bones to manufacture artifacts. Currently, rib artifacts in archaeological sites have been extensively reported and studied by foreign scholars, but there is still insufficient attention has been paid to rib artifacts in China. This paper provides a systematic review of major archaeological discoveries of rib artifacts around the world and summarizes the types and chaîne opératoire of rib artifacts. Additionally, we discuss the possibility of ancient humans selecting ribs as raw materials and the existing problems in rib artifacts research. The results show that the rib artifacts in Lower Paleolithic were often used without retouching, or within simple knapping and retouching, and the function of the tool was difficult to determine. Until the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, with a deeper understanding of bone raw materials, ancient humans used appropriate methods such as scraping and grinding to retouch bones. The types of artifacts were gradually rich, and there were tools such as smoothers, points, needles, awls, and so on. In addition, there were engravings on the ribs. From the chaîne opératoire of rib artifacts, it can be found that when ancient humans used ribs, they often need to remove the extremities first. The rib blanks were divided into split and unsplit. The cortical view, medullary view and edges were scraped and retouched, and then processed into suitable tools. Focusing on the exploitation and utilization of animal ribs in the Paleolithic Age is crucial for discussing the exploitation of animal bone resources, the technology of bone tool making and the cognitive development of bones by ancient humans. It is expected that this study will encourage greater attention towards rib artifacts within the field of Paleolithic research, as well as more new archaeological discoveries of rib artifacts in China. This will provide more abundant materials and understanding for the exploitation and utilization of animal ribs by ancient humans in the Paleolithic Age in China and even in East Asia. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An experimental study of human tooth marks on bones CAO Yuxin, SUN Lu, ZHANG Yue, ZHANG Shuangquan Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 242-254.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0053 Abstract （712）   HTML （56）    PDF（pc） （4250KB）（700）       Knowledge map    Save In past decades, researchers primarily focused on the distinguishing characteristics of marks on bone surfaces, such as cut marks, percussion marks and categories of modifications, which are widely considered as direct indicators ancient human behaviors. While earlier investigations often attributed tooth markings found on animal remains to carnivore or rodent consumption habits, recent work by Western archaeologists and ethnoarchaeological researchers consistently demonstrates that humans can inflict a category of modifications on bones during their chewing. In such studies, researchers have also attempted to find ways to distinguish human tooth marks from those produced by other carnivores through actualistic experiments. However, few scholars in China have focused on identifying human tooth marks on animal remains. The current study is thus serving as a complementary work upon prior investigations and at the same time adding to the growing evidence to show that humans do indeed leave discernible dental imprints upon animal skeletal remains during consumption processes—particularly upon flatter or more fragile bones. Damages observed on bones include furrowing, scooping-out, crenulated and saw-toothed edges, longitudinal cracking, crushing, peeling and score. In this paper, we present a detailed description of the types of damages observable on bone surfaces in an experimental human chewing of the bones of sheep. A total of 167 chewed post-cranial bones from different parts of sheep have been examined, including 122 boiled bones and 45 roasted ones. Our experimental observation indicates that, although there is a certain degree of morphological similarity between human tooth marks and those marks caused by carnivores, the former assemblage could still be confidently identified and it thus has the potential to provide us with an independent standard for identifying human actors in faunal remains from the archaeological hominins. On the other hand, the description of human chewing patterns may provide further evidence of exploitation of certain groups of animals where cut-marks are rare, such as small games or birds. Furthermore, this experiment provides valuable materials for the comparative analysis and of human tooth-marked from the Chinese archaeological sites. Additionally, the types of tooth marks observed in this experiment are largely consistent with the findings of Western scientists, indicating that these observations have a considerable degree of universality and can be applied to the study of archaeological materials across a broader geographical range. The present paper is the first attempt made by Chinese archaeologists to document human tooth marks in an actualistic setting and it has the potential to provide us with a novel approach to explore human subsistence strategies in Paleolithic China. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Paleopathology of human bones from the pottery site of Dayuan Village in Shaanxi CHEN Liang, SONG Yuke, FU Zhongyang, XU Lianggao Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 55-65.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0055 Abstract （697）   HTML （95）    PDF（pc） （5363KB）（350）       Knowledge map    Save This paper undertakes Physical Anthropological research on the excellently preserved skeletal remains of 30 cases unearthed from the pottery site of the Western Zhou Dynasty in Dayuan Village, Xixian New Area, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. Through a combination of naked-eye observation and Dino-Lite microscopy, the paleopathological manifestations are meticulously recorded. The pottery site in Dayuan Village represents a significant archaeological discovery in the Xi’an region, predominantly yielding sand-tempered brown pottery “split crotch” li tripods. The products fabricated at this site are relatively homogeneous and display a high degree of specialization. The pathological findings disclose that cribra orbitalia was prevalent among the majority of the ancient inhabitants, with some cases accompanied by porotic hyperostosis. This suggests that the local population might have endured iron-deficiency anemia, suffered from malnutrition, and resided in a poor living environment. A high incidence of rib periostitis and maxillary sinusitis was observed among the ancient site residents, potentially attributable to respiratory ailments induced by environmental pollution. The ancient inhabitants of this pottery site exhibited a remarkable frequency of metatarsal-phalangeal joint osteoarthritis, signifying the frequent utilization of metatarsophalangeal joints. Osteoarthritis, being the most common joint disorder, predominantly affected the spine joints, ankle joints, shoulder joints, and hip joints, reflecting a substantial labor burden. The metacarpals of the ancient residents were anomalously curved, and skeletal evidence of Musculoskeletal Stress Markers was detected on the phalanges and limb bones. These distinctive bony alterations imply that these individuals were involved in repetitive joint motions and occupations that placed significant demands on hand musculature. Based on the paleopathology of the population at the site, the following deductions are made. In light of the pathological signs of the ancient residents in the pottery site in Dayuan Village, a high prevalence of cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, rib periostitis, and maxillary sinusitis was noted within the site population. The prevalence of osteoarthritis and the occurrence rate of metatarsal-phalangeal joint osteoarthritis were also considerable. It is hypothesized that these pathological changes might be associated with the joint stress resulting from long-term strenuous labor and the adverse environment of the pottery site. Considering the overall circumstances, these disease characteristics are intimately linked to the occupation of pottery making. The ancient residents who once resided in Dayuan Village were presumably pottery artisans and engaged in handicrafts over an extended period. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Core flaking technology of the Shuijingbei locality of Xiachuan site in Shanxi CAI Xinyi, DU Shuisheng Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (01): 14-26.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0049 Abstract （695）   HTML （72）    PDF（pc） （18457KB）（174）       Knowledge map    Save Located in Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, the Xiachuan site stands out as a significant Upper Paleolithic archaeological site. Excavations have revealed five distinct localities within the site, namely Xiaobaihuageliang, Fuyihegeliang, Liushuiyao, Shuijingbei, and Niulu localities. Two squares exhibiting similar stratigraphic accumulations were excavated at the Shuijingbei locality. The stratigraphic accumulation can be categorized into two primary cultural stages. The lower cultural layer comprises a wealth of remains characterized by a simple core-flake industry, indicative of the early Upper Paleolithic period (44~33 kaBP). The upper cultural stage contains remnants of microblade technology, corresponding to the middle Upper Paleolithic period (26~25 kaBP). During the early Upper Paleolithic stage at the Shuijingbei locality, the prevalent technological approach was simple core-flake industry, most artifacts were directly knapped by hard hammers with a small number of artifacts using bipolar method. In the upper cultural period at the Shuijingbei locality, microblade technology emerged alongside the continued presence of the simple core-flake industry. Among all the excavation localities within the Xiachuan site, the Shuijingbei locality stands out as having the most abundant remains associated with the simple core-flake industry. This particular locality offers valuable insights into the evolutionary trajectory of flaking practices across different time periods. A thorough analysis of the technical attributes of simple core-flake industry cores discovered from these distinct cultural layers at the Shuijingbei locality reveals two distinct flaking organization strategies: Platform orientation and flaking surface orientation. The platform orientation organization encompasses four distinct flaking patterns: Single flaking direction and surface, single flaking direction with multiple flaking surfaces, dual flaking surfaces with a single flaking direction, and multiple flaking surfaces and directions. Conversely, the more sophisticated flaking surface orientation strategy incorporates lateral directions within a single flaking surface and opposing flaking directions within the same flaking surface, constituting two distinctive flaking patterns and highlighting the complexity of flaking techniques. Remnants from both the early and middle Upper Paleolithic periods at the Shuijingbei locality in the Xiachuan site display evidence of these flaking organization strategies, suggesting the enduring nature of the simple core-flake industry’s techniques. Notably, during the middle Upper Paleolithic period at the Shuijingbei locality, advancements in core-flaking techniques are evident, characterized by improved platform retouch techniques, continuous flaking on a single surface, enhanced control over flakes’ shape and size, and increased core development and utilization. By comparing the characteristics of these flaking techniques, it can be inferred that the advancements observed in the middle Upper Paleolithic stage were likely influenced by the concurrent presence of microblade technology during the same period. This interaction between the two flaking technologies reflects the movements and migrations of ancient populations across the vast eastern part of the Eurasian continent, particularly in northern China, during the Upper Paleolithic phase. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Craniofacial morphology of Tang palace maids from the Sanmin Village cemetery in Xi'an ZHAO Dongyue, FEI Yiqing, MIAO Yifei, LIANG Yiqian Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 230-241.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0103 Abstract （685）   HTML （43）    PDF（pc） （7678KB）（150）       Knowledge map    Save The Sanmin Village cemetery is situated in Sanmin Village, Zaoyuan Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. In this cemetery, fifty-seven tombs of palace maids from the early Tang Dynasty have been discovered. These tombs are neatly arranged and uniformly shaped. The area surrounding Sanmin Village was originally located in the southwest suburbs of Chang’an City during the Tang Dynasty. Multiple discoveries of palace maids’ tombs and related epitaphs have been made here, and it is known as “Gongrenxie,” the burial place for Tang Dynasty palace maids. As the capital of the Sui and Tang dynasties, Chang’an City had a large population, among which palace maids were the most numerous special group of women in the harem. In the past, research on Tang Dynasty palace maids was mostly based on traditional literature and palace maid poems rather than on physical characteristics. A total of twenty-nine specimens were extracted from the Tang Dynasty palace maids’ tombs in the Sanmin Village cemetery, including six female skulls that could be observed and measured for craniofacial features. All of these were concentrated in the young and post-adolescent periods. This article refers to the methods listed in the “Anthropometric Manual” to analyze the craniofacial morphological characteristics of human bones unearthed from the Tang Dynasty palace tombs in Sanmin Village. The results show that the distribution of various features of the female skulls in the Sanmin Village cemetery is relatively concentrated. It is similar to the overall craniofacial morphology of female residents in the northern part of the Tang Dynasty, with only differences in facial width, forehead shape, and orbital shape. Compared to other female groups in the Tang Dynasty, women in the Sanmin Village cemetery have a narrower upper face, a wider forehead shape, and a higher orbital shape. However, these differences are not significant enough to exceed the overall characteristics of northern women in the Tang Dynasty. Based on epitaphs and literature, it is further speculated that in the early Tang Dynasty and even throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, palace maids mainly came from the north. There should be certain standards and aesthetic preferences in the selection of palace maids in the Tang Dynasty. Women with a wider forehead and a narrower upper face may have certain advantages in selection, which is consistent with the social aesthetics of the early Tang Dynasty reflected in the female figurines and murals of Tang Dynasty tombs. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Discovery and advances in the study of Middle Paleolithic Quina technology in Southwest China XIAO Peiyuan, RUAN Qijun, LI Hao Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (06): 1009-1018.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0096 Abstract （684）   HTML （21）    PDF（pc） （2637KB）（76）       Knowledge map    Save The Middle Paleolithic or Middle Stone Age, dating approximately between 300,000 and 40,000 years ago, represents a critical phase in human evolution, characterized by significant advancements in technology, adaptive behaviors, and complex interactions among different hominin groups, including Homo erectus, Neanderthals, Denisovans, and early modern humans. During this period, lithic technology underwent substantial diversification and refinement, reflecting key cognitive and behavioral developments. Among these innovations, the emergence and widespread adoption of Levallois technology—also known as prepared core technology—stands out as a representative feature of Middle Paleolithic technological innovation. Despite the global significance of these developments, the present and nature of Middle Paleolithic technologies in East Asia—particularly in China—have long been debated. A dominant perspective has maintained that lithic technologies in China lacked the innovative characteristics observed in other regions before the Upper/Late Paleolithic. However, this view has been increasingly challenged by recent archaeological discoveries, which have identified diagnostic Middle Paleolithic elements—such as Levallois and discoid core reduction strategies—at several sites spanning diverse geographical regions of China. These findings suggest that technological innovations were not absent in East Asia but may have followed distinct regional trajectories. This study provides a comprehensive global review of Quina technology, focusing on its core diagnostic features: 1) plan-secant volumetric organization for blank production, 2) scalariform stepped retouch (i.e. Quina retouch) on thick, asymmetric and lateral flakes, and 3) complex ramification of the Quina chaîne opératoire. The Quina Mousterian is one of the major technological variants of the European Middle Paleolithic, often interpreted as a Neanderthal adaptation to cold climates, marked by high degrees of tool curation and repeated maintenance during seasonal subsistence. By synthesizing archaeological reports and incorporating new evidence from northwestern Yunnan, this research demonstrates the presence of a well-defined Quina techno-complex in southwestern China. This discovery significantly expands the known geographical distribution of Quina technology beyond its traditional association with Europe. The identification of Quina techno-complex underscores the diversity and complexity of Middle Paleolithic traditions in China, offering important insights into cultural transmission, regional adaptation, and potential interactions among hominin populations across East and West. Future research should prioritize targeted excavations and interdisciplinary studies at Quina-related sites in northwestern Yunnan. Such investigations will be crucial for establishing a more precise spatial-temporal framework for Quina technology in East Asia and, for exploring the behavioral and taxonomic identity of the hominins who produced it. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Review and reflection on the study of hand axes and other large cutting tools in China HU Haoyue Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 301-315.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0104 Abstract （675）   HTML （66）    PDF（pc） （16668KB）（189）       Knowledge map    Save Large cutting tools like handaxes, cleavers, picks and knives are the earliest standardized tools in human history, and their emergence reflects the leap in human cognitive ability and technological skills. Handaxes have been reported since the 1930s by foreign and domestic researchers, but at that time, both the number of discoveries and the extent of discussions were very limited. Since the 1950s, an increasing number of large cutting tools have been discovered in multiple regions in China like the Fen River Valley, Bose Basin, Luonan Basin, and Danjiangkou Reservoir Region. These assemblages have long received the attention of archaeologists, and at the same time, disagreements and controversies have arisen around them. Based on a brief overview of the discoveries of large cutting tools in China, this paper intends to review the history and current situation of the study. Archaeologists have mainly focused on several issues, namely, whether handaxes existed in China, the manufacturing strategies of Chinese large cutting tools, the human behaviors reflected in these tools, and the relationship between Chinese large cutting tools and the Acheulean in the Old World. Furthermore, this paper puts forward some reflections on the large cutting tools in China, specifically the chronological issues and regional diversities, to better interpret the information on human activities behind them. On the chronological issues, it must be noticed that current dating results show that the earliest Acheulean-like assemblage in China dates to around 900~800 kaBP, while the latest ones only date to about 30 kaBP, and there’s a missing link from 600~300 kaBP. This may be explained by the unbalance of fieldwork or the incompetence of current dating methods, but it is also possible that there are two different periods in which large cutting tools prevailed. Regarding the regional diversity of large cutting tools, more attention also needs to be paid to the quantitative comparisons and comparative study of technological details of large cutting tools from different regions. Meanwhile, future researchers should also notice the differences of other cores, flakes, and small tools that co-exist with large cutting tools in different regions, to better understand the toolkits used by ancient humans. At last, when comparing large cutting tools in China to those in Africa and the West of Eurasia, it is necessary to conduct the comparison based on individual regions instead of treating discoveries from different regions of China or of the Western Old World as a whole and simply compare the “east” and the “west”. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A preliminary report of the Nanying reservoir Paleolithic site in the Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province MENG Haochen, CHEN Guoke, ZHOU Jing, LIU Fengjun, SUN Xuefeng, TONG Guang, ZHI Jincao, LI Feng Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 295-300.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0097 Abstract （664）   HTML （60）    PDF（pc） （19384KB）（145）       Knowledge map    Save The origins and dispersal of modern humans are a key issue of interest in the academic community. Past research has largely focused on the “Southern Route”, with less attention paid to the “Northern Route” of the spread from the northern regions of Central Asia and the Altai region of Siberia to Northeast Asia. In recent years, the Northern Route has received increasing attention, and the Hexi Corridor in Northwest China, in particular, may carry the history of ancient human dispersal from Central Asia and the Altai region to North China. However, for a long time, there have been few reports of Paleolithic sites in the Hexi Corridor. In 2021, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, carried out an archaeological survey of the Paleolithic in the Hexi Corridor, uncovering more than twenty new Paleolithic sites. Among them, the newly discovered Nanying Reservoir site is located on the second terrace of the Jinta River in Liangzhou District, Wuwei City. It possesses relatively well-preserved stratigraphic information, and a rich collection of stone artifacts was gathered from the profile. This paper primarily describes and analyzes the stone artifacts unearthed from this site. A total of 530 stone artifacts were unearthed from the Nanying Reservoir site, primarily made from quartz and quartzite. The artifacts include cores, flakes, fragments, and various tools, reflecting the extensive stone tool-making activities of ancient humans in the area. The flaking and retouch techniques predominantly used free-hand hard hammer percussion. Optically stimulated luminescence dating estimates the site’s age to be approximately 90 kaBP to 80 kaBP, providing an important chronological framework for studying ancient human activities in the region. The Paleolithic investigation shows that the Hexi Corridor region is rich in Paleolithic remains, including stone tools, sites, and fossils, which reveal traces of ancient human life and further in-depth investigations and studies will provide valuable and extensive materials for exploring the technological characteristics, production methods, and survival strategies of ancient humans in the region. These discoveries help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of early human lifestyles in this region and how they adapted to environmental changes and challenges. These new discoveries are of great significance for understanding the migration and dispersal processes of early humans in East Asia and the role the Hexi Corridor has played in those processes. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）