Miaohoushan Ancient Human Site

Miaohoushan Ancient Human Site

A Paleolithic site, the Miaohoushan Ancient Human Site in Benxi County is the northeasternmost early Paleolithic site discovered in China to date. Miaohoushan is located east of Shanchengzi Village, Shanchengzi Township, Benxi County, and the site lies within a natural cave on the southern slope of the mountain. Between 1978 and 1983, four excavations were carried out, during which two human tooth fossils, a child’s femur fossil, artificially flaked stone tools, a small number of bone implements, and evidence of fire use were unearthed. In addition, 72 species of mammal fossils were also discovered. Uranium-series dating has shown these to be the oldest known human fossils excavated in the Northeast region at that time. The discovery of the Miaohoushan site proves that as early as 400,000 years ago, while Peking Man was living in North China, human activity also existed in the Liaodong area beyond the Shanhai Pass. Research on the Miaohoushan culture further indicates that this early human culture is closely related to the Paleolithic culture of North China. This holds great significance for exploring the origins and development of ancient Chinese culture. Its discovery has also provided important data for the study of Quaternary geology and paleontology in Northeast China.