As we all know, the Central Plains region of China is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and Chinese civilization, and has a profound accumulation of human culture.
Not long ago, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced that 32,000-year-old human skull fossils had been found at the site of the Xianren Cave in Lushan County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province. This discovery means that humans appeared in the Central Plains more than 30,000 years ago.
This is also the earliest known fossil of early modern humans in Henan (anthropologists divide "fully formed people" into early apes, late apes, early Homo sapiens, late Homo sapiens, early Homo sapiens about 300,000 to 40,000 years old, late Homo sapiens or called new people, that is, anatomical modern humans).
Many people, after watching the hilarity, fell into contemplation... The discovery doesn't seem to be significant, as ancient humans found in China abound. So, what is the significance of this early modern human fossil?
What is the oldest surviving human skull?
In China in the prehistoric period (about 2 million years ago to the 21st century BC), the fossils of apes such as Yuanmou people, Lantian people and Peking people have always been evidence of the existence of prehistoric ancient humans. The excavation of earlier and earlier fossils of ancient humans is of great significance for the study of the origin and evolution of modern humans.
In 1974, researchers found a 3.2 million-year-old female skeleton fossil in Ethiopia. Through the analysis of the development and wear of the skeleton, it can be determined that the owner of the skeleton fossil died in her 20s, so she was called the maiden Lucy.
Lucy's skull has long been thought to be the earliest ancient human skull. It wasn't until 2019 that scientists also found a nearly 3.8 million-year-old ancient human skull in Ethiopia, a major discovery that immediately overturned the claim that Lucy was the ancestor of mankind.
The skull is not only one of the few skull remains more than 3.5 million years old, but also its near-intact skull, which plays a key role in the in-depth study of ancient ape humans. According to the analysis of its skeletal morphology, teeth, jaws, etc., it can be judged that the skull may belong to an adult male, and the ancient humans to which it belonged may have lived in the shrub belt areas such as grasslands, wetlands and riverside forests.
In addition, the male skull fossil is believed to be the earliest "upright walking" ancient human found so far, and the analysis of its skull characteristics can determine that it belongs to the Australopithecus lakeside species.
What does this discovery mean?
Now let's go back to this discovery. The site of Cave No. 1 is located on a steep cliff in Lushan County at an altitude of 576 meters, and in addition to the fossil skull mentioned above, there are more than a dozen human teeth and skull fragments.
In addition, a large number of mammalian fossils and stone products have been found. These animals are mainly horses, goats, brown bears, sika deer, wild boars, macaques, porcupines, etc., and their survival age is about 40,000 to 30,000 years ago.
This is the earliest known fossil of early modern humans in Henan, which means that there were traces of early modern humans in the Central Plains more than 30,000 years ago.
Studies at home and abroad have shown that 30,000-50,000 years ago is a critical period for the emergence and development of modern people. Although archaeology has confirmed the existence of a Paleolithic culture in the Central Plains, proving that human activities existed in the Paleolithic Central Plains, there has been a lack of direct evidence of human fossils, especially in the modern human stage.
The discovery shows that 30,000-50,000 years ago, humans did indeed exist in the Central Plains. This not only enriches the archaeological data of the late Paleolithic culture in China, but also provides an important fossil basis for the study of the origin and evolution of modern Chinese humans.
Why was it found in Henan?
The choice of Henan as its place of residence by ancient humans is inseparable from its geographical location, weather and climate.
First of all, Henan is located in the Central Plains and the middle and lower reaches of the South Yellow River, with abundant water sources and large plains, and the land is fertile, which is very suitable for the survival and reproduction of animals and plants. Paleolithic paleo humans mainly made a living by gathering and hunting, and a large number of animals and plants provided a rich food source for ancient humans.
Secondly, Henan Province has excellent climatic characteristics. Most of Henan Province is in the warm temperate zone, which belongs to the typical subtropical to warm temperate transition continental monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons, rain and heat at the same time, mild climate characteristics, very suitable for the residence and life of ancient humans, but also conducive to the growth and development of animals and plants, to ensure the survival and life of ancient humans.
Since the conditions in Henan are so great, why did ancient humans choose the Immortal Cave instead of other caves?
Why did ancient humans choose immortal caves?
The Cave of the Immortals has the following geographical advantages.
First of all, the terrain is more rugged. In the Paleolithic period, when there was no iron tool as a tool, ancient humans would usually use caves or trees above the ground as a place to live, so as to avoid the attack of ground beasts and protect their own safety.
The site of the Fairy Cave is located on a steep cliff and is relatively hidden, which can provide a guarantee for the safety of the occupants.
Second, water and food sources are plentiful. The site of the Cave of the Immortals is surrounded by woods, mountains and rivers, providing a rich source of food and fresh water for the lives of ancient humans. The presence of freshwater sources was more convenient for ancient humans who did not make containers for water.
In addition, the cave area of the Fairy Cave is relatively large, about 30 square meters, which can accommodate nearly 10 people, and the living environment is more comfortable. Under the conditions of the time, it could even be regarded as a "mansion".
It can be seen that the Xianren Cave was carefully selected by the occupants at that time and operated with care.
Sum up
The discovery is not so simple
Not only does it add more evidence to the long history of our country
It is also the origin and evolution of modern humans in our country
Important information was provided
Let's look forward to more research results!
Expert: Tang Huimin, Ph.D., Central South University
This article is reviewed by Wang Yuliang, Vice Dean of the School of History and Culture of Tianjin Normal University, Professor, Master Supervisor