A 32,000-year-old human skull fossil was discovered in Henan. What does this mean?

Expert of this article: Tang Huimin, PhD, Central South University

This article was reviewed by Wang Yuliang, Vice Dean of the School of History and Culture, Tianjin Normal University, Professor, Master's Supervisor

As we all know, my country's Central Plains region is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and has a profound accumulation of human culture.

Not long ago, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced that a 32,000-year-old human skull fossil was discovered at the Xianren Cave site 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 early modern human fossil in Henan (anthropologists divide "fully formed humans" into early ape-men, late ape-men, early Homo sapiens, and late Homo sapiens. Early Homo sapiens lived about 300,000 to 40,000 to 50,000 years ago, and late Homo sapiens is also called new humans, that is, anatomically modern humans).

After watching the excitement, many people fell into deep thought... This discovery does not seem to have any significant significance, because ancient humans have been found everywhere in China. So, what is the significance of this early modern human fossil?

What is the oldest surviving human skull?

In my country's prehistoric period (about 2 million years ago to the 21st century BC), ape-man fossils such as Yuanmou Man, Lantian Man and Peking Man have always been evidence of the existence of prehistoric ancient humans. The discovery of increasingly earlier ancient human fossils is of great significance to the study of the origin and evolution of modern humans.

In 1974, researchers discovered a female skeleton fossil dating back 3.2 million years in Ethiopia. Through the analysis of the development and wear of the skeleton, it was determined that the owner of the skeleton fossil was only in her 20s when she died, so she was called Girl Lucy.

Lucy's skull has always been considered the earliest ancient human skull. Until 2019, scientists also discovered an ancient human skull nearly 3.8 million years ago in Ethiopia. This major discovery immediately overturned the claim that "Lucy is a human ancestor."

This skull is not only a rare skull remains over 3.5 million years old, but also nearly complete, which plays a key role in the in-depth study of ancient apes and humans. According to the analysis of its skeletal morphology, teeth, jaws, etc., it can be judged that this skull may belong to an adult male, and the ancient humans to whom it belongs may have lived in relatively dry grasslands, wetlands, riverside forests and other shrub areas.

In addition, this male skull fossil is considered to be the earliest "upright walking" ancient human discovered so far. Analysis of its skull characteristics shows that it belongs to the Australopithecus anamensis species.

What does this discovery mean?

Now let's get back to this discovery. The Xianren Cave No. 1 site is located on a steep cliff at an altitude of 576 meters in Lushan County. In addition to the skull fossils mentioned above, there are more than a dozen human teeth and skull fragments in the site.

In addition, a large number of mammal fossils and stone products were also found. These animals are mainly horses, goats, brown bears, sika deer, wild boars, macaques, porcupines, etc. They lived about 40,000 to 30,000 years ago.

This is the earliest known early modern human fossil in Henan, which means that traces of early modern human activities appeared in the Central Plains more than 30,000 years ago.

Domestic and foreign research shows that 30,000 to 50,000 years ago was a critical period for the emergence and development of modern humans. Although archaeological evidence has confirmed the existence of Paleolithic culture in the Central Plains, proving that human activities existed in the Central Plains during the Paleolithic Age, direct evidence of human fossils has been lacking, especially human fossils of the modern human stage.

This discovery shows that humans did exist in the Central Plains region 30,000 to 50,000 years ago. This not only enriches the archaeological data of the late Paleolithic culture in China, but also provides important fossil evidence for studying the origin and evolution of modern humans in China.

Why was it found in Henan?

The ancient humans’ choice of Henan as their place of residence is closely related to its geographical location, weather and climate and other factors.

First of all, Henan is located in the Central Plains and the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has abundant water sources and large plains, and fertile land, which is very suitable for the survival and reproduction of plants and animals. Ancient humans in the Paleolithic period mainly made a living by gathering and hunting, and a large number of plants and animals provided a rich source of food for ancient humans.

Secondly, Henan Province has excellent climatic characteristics. Most of Henan Province is in the warm temperate zone, which is a typical continental monsoon climate transitioning from subtropical to warm temperate zone, with four distinct seasons, simultaneous rain and heat, and mild climate, which is very suitable for the residence and life of ancient humans, and is also conducive to the growth and development of animals and plants, ensuring the survival and life of ancient humans.

Since the conditions in Henan are so great, why did ancient humans choose Xianren Cave instead of other caves?

Why did ancient humans choose Xianren Cave?

Xianren Cave has the following geographical advantages.

First, the terrain is relatively steep. In the Paleolithic period, when there were no iron tools, ancient humans usually lived in caves or trees above the ground to avoid attacks from wild animals on the ground and protect their own safety.

The Xianren Cave Ruins are located on a steep cliff, in a relatively secluded location, which can provide protection for the life safety of the residents.

Secondly, there were sufficient sources of water and food. There were forests, mountains and rivers near the Xianren Cave site, which provided abundant food and fresh water resources for the lives of ancient humans. The existence of fresh water sources was more convenient for ancient humans who could not make containers for water.

Furthermore, the area of ​​Xianren Cave is relatively large, about 30 square meters, which can accommodate nearly 10 people, and the living environment is relatively comfortable. Under the conditions at that time, it can even be considered a "luxury house".

It can be seen that the location of Xianren Cave was carefully selected and managed by the residents at that time.

In summary

This discovery is not that simple.

It not only adds more evidence to our country's long history

It is also the origin and evolution of modern humans in my country.

Provided important information

Let us look forward to more research results!

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