Ma'anshan Ancient Human Site

Ma'anshan Ancient Human Site

The Ma'anshan Ancient Human Site is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ma'anshan Ancient Human Site

The Ma'anshan Culture is a representative of China’s diverse Paleolithic cultures and part of the southwestern cultural system. The upper stratum of the cultural site at Ma'anshan North Cave dates back to the late Late Pleistocene, approximately 15,000 to 18,000 years ago; the lower stratum is over 20,000 years old and shares similarities with specimens from contemporary sites such as the Guanyindong Cave in Qianxi, Guizhou, and nearby regions in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Fang County, Hubei. Among the more than 10,000 fossils first systematically excavated in 1986, researchers found dental fossils of representative animals from the South China Late Pleistocene fauna, including giant pandas, saber-toothed tigers, Chinese rhinoceroses, and large tapirs. A human mandible with premolars and molars attached was also unearthed. Evidence of human use of fire includes ash pits, ashes, and burnt bones. In addition to percussion techniques, the bone tools found include bone awls, bone shovels, bone forks, ear pendants, chest ornaments, as well as bone tweezers and engraved bone rods—rare cultural artifacts from the Paleolithic era. The site features two cultural types: artifacts from layers 2–6 in the upper strata, mainly small tools similar to the Fulin Culture in Sichuan and traceable to the small stone tool tradition of northern China, representing an exchange culture. Artifacts from layers 7–8 in the lower strata are close to the Guanyindong Culture in Qianxi, representing a regional culture. The second systematic excavation in 1990 yielded 20,000 bone fragments, over 400 animal dental fossils, and more than 1,300 stone artifacts. Specialized analysis of the bone fragments indicated that they were primarily produced by the site’s inhabitants—the Ma'anshan people—through activities such as marrow extraction and bone tool production. The cultural characteristics are the same as those of the 1986 excavation. The Ma'anshan South Cave, excavated in 1990, yielded over 10,000 fossils; more than 300 animal dental fossils identified as belonging to 15 species; 202 stone artifacts, including 43 processed tools, 2 polished stone axes, suggesting prolonged ancient human activity in the area. Also found were four human tooth fossils from Late Pleistocene humans aged around 40, 25–26, and 2–3 years old. The cultural nature is the same as that of the North Cave. In summary, considering both time and cultural content, as well as the richness of unearthed cultural relics, the site is of great significance to the study of China’s diverse Paleolithic structure and cultural spheres.

These excavated items paint a picture of the late Pleistocene Ma'anshan Homo sapiens living mainly as hunters. Around the karst mountain basin of Ma'anshan, the warm, rainy climate, along with fertile soil accumulated by rainwater erosion at the foot of mountain slopes, and periodic flooding of the Panlong Cave subterranean river depositing nutrient-rich sediments along the riverbanks in the basin, created fertile ground. On these fertile alluvial soils and the yellow soils developed and accumulated since the Quaternary period, dense forests flourished, grass thrived, birds sang, and flowers bloomed. Over time, a self-sustaining, well-adapted, and harmonious ecosystem and climate formed. Pine, fir, cypress, peach, plum, apricot, bamboo, willow, poplar, and more grew vigorously, while wildflowers and grasses covered the basins, valleys, and hills around Ma'anshan. Springs and streams babbled, and lakes shimmered blue. Herds of warmth-loving herbivores—wild deer, sambar deer, water buffalo, rhinoceroses, saber-toothed tigers, pandas, and giant tapirs—roamed and grazed freely. Groups of Ma'anshan men, women, and children armed with handmade hunting tools such as bows, arrows, and wooden clubs hunted the herbivores. Others fished in rivers or lakes with spears. On the leeward eastern side of the Ma'anshan rock shelter, they used stone choppers, scrapers, and points to skin animals and cut meat, then skewered the meat on sticks or bamboo to roast over fire pits. As families returned at sunset laden with game, they gathered around the fire pit, bathed in the silver glow of the moon rising over the towering cliffs, humming cheerful tunes, and enjoying their feast. Though the sounds of tigers roaring, wolves howling, and bears growling occasionally echoed through the area, the shelter—nestled under cliffs and one side facing the Tianmen River—offered good visibility and defense. Elders kept watch at night, while others slept soundly. In their spare time during the day, after extracting marrow from bones, they crafted ornaments such as bone awls, bone rods, earrings, chest plates, and heart-shaped pendants to decorate themselves, and sewed animal hides into clothing. The leftover bone fragments were discarded on the western slope. Where descendants of the Ma'anshan people are now, and what traces they left behind, remain mysteries waiting to be uncovered, explored, and traced back to their origins.

Transportation to the Site: The site is located in the southern part of the county town and can be reached on foot or by taxi or tricycle.

Site Services: The site is currently under development, but necessary services are available in the county town.