Ancient Chinese relics point to unbroken cultural links that began a million years ago
- ‘Powerful’ new evidence connects hominin activity to rise of Chinese culture
- ‘Complete evolutionary chain of ancient humans in China’ has been established, archaeologist says
The earliest signs of civilisation in China have been dated to thousands of years ago, with many ancient cultural and political traditions still in place today. But emerging evidence has helped researchers establish a much longer continuity between early hominin activity and the roots of Chinese civilisation.
A series of excavations carried out between 2019 and 2023 at various locations in the Yellow River Basin – considered the birthplace of Chinese civilisation – have yielded stone tools and other artefacts that date from between 1.1 million to 10,000 years ago, according to scientists.
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Among the excavations, the deepest continuous cultural deposit measured 24 metres (78 feet). Tens of thousands of artefacts have been unearthed at more than 150 sites.
“They offer a powerful piece of evidence,” Luo said.
