China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Wednesday the discovery of a relatively well-preserved ancient human fossilized skull from the early Paleolithic period, believed to be the most intact specimen from Homo Erectus of that age found in inland Eurasia so far.
In 1989 and 1990, the first and second such skulls, dating from 800,000 to 1.1 million years ago, were unearthed at an early Paleolithic period site in central China’s Hubei Province. The fossil skulls are believed to belong to Homo Erectus and were named “Yunxian Man.”
The new fossil, named “No. 3 Skull of Yunxian Man,” was discovered about 35 meters from the excavation location of the first two skull fossils, with similarities in terms of burial environment and the technical characteristics of their companion stone artifacts.
Archaeologists have carried out systematic excavations at the site since 2021, which led to the new discovery. Part of the new skull has been unearthed, with no obvious deformation visible so far.
Experts said that the new discovery will provide important evidence showing the evolution of Homo Erectus and its origin and development in China and East Asia.
Xinhua Editor：Li Yan
NOTE: Given above is both the ‘Chinese’ language and ‘English’ language version of this story! The Former contains photographs and is far more in-depth – whilst the latter provides the basic data. Those interested in related archaeology may research the so-called ‘Peking Man‘! In the Chinese language version of this article it is stated that Fang Qin told Jimu News that there are also ancient human at places such as Meipu Ape-Man site, Bailongdong site and Huanglongdong site, as well as many Palaeolithic fossil sites around the Xuetangliangzi area. This enrichment phenomenon is unique in the country and rare in the world. “This shows that the area of the Han River basin with Yunyang is the core of an important area for the study of the origin, evolution and development of ancient humans – and it can be called a rare human evolution corridor. We want to build this area into a Research Centre for Human Origins.”
THE SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 