15 August 2009
Paleolithic cave site discovered in China
An important Paleolithic cave site, named 'Water Curtain Cave Site', was discovered in the Huhushui Scenic Area in Heibei Province, north China. This site is located in the steep ridges at the eastern foot of Taihang Mountains. The cave with a small opening is just behind the water curtain of a waterfall. In shape the cave is narrow, but long and winding.
Archaeologists' preliminary investigation proved abundant findings at the site which so far mainly comprise stoneware and animal bones. Scrape marks can still be seen on the bones from the ancient people chopping or scraping meat from them. A great deal of stone ware was also found in the cave.
Xie Fei, vice minister of the Hebei Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, said that the 'Water Curtain Cave Site', with an estimated age of between 20,000 and 30,000 years old, is an important Paleolithic cave site which geologically dates from the late Quarternary period, and culturally dates back to the later Paleolithic period. Xie said that the cave site, together with the Paleolithic cultural heritage found at the Peking Man Site in Zhoukoudian, Beijing and the Xiaonanhai Site in Anyang, Henan Province, contributes more to the research on Paleolithic civilization in North China.
The local government and the cultural heritage administration will soon make an archaeological excavation plan to excavate the 'Water Curtain Cave Site,' and carry out further archaeological excavation and research works. They will also formulate an overall protection plan, in order to better protect the cave site.
People's Daily Online (10 August 2009)
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