Unearthing China's 45,000-Year-Old Advanced Culture
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Chapter 1: The Discovery
Recent archaeological findings have unveiled evidence of a sophisticated material culture in China, dating back approximately 45,000 years. This remarkable discovery was made in the Shanxi province by a collaborative team of international scientists.
The history of humanity in China can be traced back to the Stone Age, where early humans like Homo erectus emerged. Notable discoveries such as the Yuanmou man and Peking man illustrate this early human presence. However, distinct cultural developments that mark the early history of China began to appear during the Neolithic era.
The recent research published in the journal “Nature Ecology & Evolution” details findings from the Shiyu archaeological site in Shanxi. The team of researchers from various countries, including China, Australia, France, Spain, and Germany, reported traces of an advanced culture from around 45,000 years ago.
According to the researchers, “The geographical spread of Homo sapiens into Southeast Europe occurred approximately 47,000 years ago, coinciding with the emergence of early Upper Paleolithic technologies. Homo sapiens were also present in western Siberia around 45,000 years ago and likely reached northeastern Asia around 40,000 years BCE, potentially arriving in China between 43,000 and 41,000 years ago.”
Section 1.1: Cultural Artifacts
The people of Shiyu were adept at creating a vibrant culture, largely influenced by migration patterns. The team discovered a variety of artifacts from this region, including numerous stone tools made using the Levallois technique, a hallmark of Middle Paleolithic toolmaking.
Interestingly, some of these tools were crafted from materials sourced from locations over 1,000 kilometers away, suggesting that the inhabitants possessed advanced resource acquisition strategies and demonstrated impressive migration capabilities.
“Our study reveals a collection of archaeological items that includes weaponry technology, long-distance obsidian trade, and the use of a perforated graphite disk,” stated Prof. Yang Shixia, the lead author from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “This indicates that the earliest intelligent humans in China cultivated a genuinely rich culture.”
Section 1.2: Insights into Human Expansion
Among the significant findings at Shiyu were over 15,000 stone tools, various animal remains, and a fragment of a hominid skull belonging to the Homo sapiens species.
“The discoveries offer new insights into the spread of Homo sapiens across Asia and the arrival of the first modern humans in northern China. Additionally, they provide valuable context regarding the material culture of these early settlers,” the scientists explained.
Furthermore, researchers conducted dating on three animal bone samples unearthed during excavations in 1963, revealing human processing evidenced by cut marks made between 45,800 and 43,200 years ago.
Interestingly, the analysis suggested that the Shiyu inhabitants were skilled hunters, particularly of horses, utilizing tools with handles and shafts for hunting large game.
This video discusses the findings of a 40,000-year-old unknown Stone Age culture in China, emphasizing the significance of these artifacts in understanding early human life.
Chapter 2: Modern Discoveries
More recently, another significant archaeological finding has been reported involving a 2,200-year-old Chinese tomb. This discovery has confirmed the royal ownership of the tomb, shedding light on the socio-political structure of ancient China.
The second video delves into the archaeological findings that confirm the royal lineage associated with the ancient Chinese tomb, illustrating the wealth and power of this era.
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