Yanhui Cave Ancient Human Cultural Site

Yanhui Cave Ancient Human Cultural Site

The Yanhui Cave Ancient Human Cultural Site is a cultural relics protection unit of Guizhou Province.

The Yanhui Cave Ancient Human Cultural Site is located at the 25-kilometer mark of the Tongxi Highway in Jiuba Town, known as the birthplace of the "Tongzi Man" and is a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit. The cave entrance is 32 meters above the river surface, bathed in sunlight yet sheltered from dryness, with powdery soil—hence the name "Yanhui" (Rock Ash) Cave by locals. The cave has a trumpet-like shape, is 3.0 meters high and 1.8 meters wide, with a passage that alternates between wide and narrow sections, extending northeast in a zigzag pattern. About 2.5 meters into the cave is a spacious chamber. In 1972, while conducting a geological survey in Gezhuangba, Jiuba, the 112th Geological Team unexpectedly discovered two human tooth fossils in Yanhui Cave. Expert analysis identified them as ancient human fossils dating back around 200,000 years. Studies of the Paleolithic tools and burnt bones unearthed from Yanhui Cave revealed traces of ancient human use of fire, marking the earliest such discovery south of the Yangtze River to date. Research on the "Tongzi Man" fossils also uncovered the world’s earliest known case of dental fluorosis, holding significant academic value. This major discovery fills a gap in the archaeological record of human evolution from 200,000 years ago, and the academic community has named these ancient humans the "Tongzi Man."

Yanhui Cave is 25 kilometers from Tongzi County and lies one kilometer west of the Tongzi-Chishui Highway, at the southern foot of Chaishan Hill. It is a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit and an excellent destination for scientific research and tourism. Located halfway up Chaishan Hill in Jiuba Township, the cave entrance is 32 meters above the river surface, bathed in sunlight yet sheltered from dryness, with powdery soil—hence the name "Yanhui" (Rock Ash) Cave by locals. The cave has a trumpet-like shape, is 3.0 meters high and 1.8 meters wide, with a passage that alternates between wide and narrow sections, extending northeast in a zigzag pattern. About 2.5 meters into the cave is a spacious chamber. Why did the "Tongzi Man" choose to live here? What was their way of life? These questions spark the imagination.

The discovery of the "Tongzi Man" has left behind many touching stories. In the winter of 1971, the 112th Geological Team of the Guizhou Provincial Geological Bureau was conducting a geological survey in Jiuba Township. While stationed at the site, worker He Ren, driven by an amateur interest in archaeology, often climbed hills and explored caves. In Yanhui Cave, he discovered large accumulations of paleontological fossils, which thrilled him. He then sent a 500-character telegram at his own expense to the Chinese Academy of Sciences to report the find. The Academy dispatched experts Zhang Sen shui and Wu Maolin from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, who joined forces with Cao Zetian from the Guizhou Provincial Museum to form a field investigation team. In early January 1972, they arrived in Jiuba Township and, under He Ren’s guidance, began trial excavations in Yanhui Cave. Several subsequent systematic excavations yielded fossils of 25 mammal species, including golden snub-nosed monkeys, giant tapirs, Chinese rhinoceroses, giant pandas, and Stegodon orientalis. Most precious of all were two human tooth fossils, 12 Paleolithic stone tools, and important artifacts such as burnt bones. Analysis and scientific dating determined that the tooth fossils belonged to an erectus (commonly known as ape-man) from the middle Paleolithic period, over 200,000 years old. This groundbreaking discovery filled a critical gap in the history of human evolution, and the academic community named these ancient humans the "Tongzi Man." At the time, both the People's Daily and China National Radio announced the discovery to the world. Following the announcement, radio stations and newspapers in 16 countries reprinted and reported on it, with many publishing articles highlighting its significance. Beijing Film Studio even produced a news documentary titled "Hometown of the Tongzi Man," which was screened nationwide.

The discovery of the "Tongzi Man" garnered worldwide attention because it filled a crucial gap in the timeline of human evolution. Prior to this, only fossils such as Yuanmou Man (1.7 million years ago), Lantian Man (700,000 years ago), Peking Man (600,000 years ago), Maba Man (500,000 years ago), Changyang Man (400,000 years ago), Dingcun Man (300,000 years ago), Guanyindong Man (100,000 years ago), and Liujiang Man (40,000 years ago) had been found. The 200,000-year-old gap was notably missing. The "Tongzi Man" discovery perfectly bridged this evolutionary chain. Studies of the Paleolithic tools and burnt bones from Yanhui Cave revealed traces of ancient human use of fire, the earliest such evidence south of the Yangtze River to date. Research on the "Tongzi Man" fossils also uncovered the world’s earliest known case of dental fluorosis, holding significant academic value.

Who could have imagined that He Ren, an ordinary geological worker, would spark such a monumental discovery with a mere 500-character telegram? Or that the weathered Yanhui Cave would capture global attention? It provides the physical means for people to experience the living environment of ancient humans, reflect on the arduous journey of human development and historical evolution, and ponder the mysterious lives, migrations, and reproduction of our ancient ancestors.

Nestled deep within the Dalou Mountains, Yanhui Cave is shrouded in mystery and allure.

Transportation to the Site: The site is located in Jiuba Town, northwest of Tongzi County. The distance from Tongzi County to Jiuba Town is 20 kilometers, all paved with rural asphalt roads. The Tongzi–Xishui Highway passes through Jiuba Town, with daily passenger bus services between Tongzi County and Jiuba Town. Out-of-town visitors can disembark at the Tong Station on the Chongqing-Zunyi Expressway and travel to the site, or take a route via Xishui to Tongzi County and then proceed to Jiuba Town.

Site Services: Currently, the site is in a undeveloped stage. Nearby, there are summer retreat rural tourism spots in Shanzhuang Village, Jiuba Town, and Shangtianchi rural tourism area, as well as the undeveloped Huanghe Gully tourist attraction.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Guizhou Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units