Largest excavation in history launched at Peking Man site

The protective excavation of the No.1 site at the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site was launched on May 16. This is the largest protective excavation since the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site was first excavated in 1921.

Largest protective excavation in history

In order to eliminate safety hazards, such as sliding, holes, cracks and dangerous rocks in the sections of cave deposits that may have been caused by the long-term weathering of natural forces, the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Administration and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly launched a protective excavation of the western section at the No.1 site (Ape-man Cave).

Officials from the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Administration said that the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Relics Museum began constructing scaffolding for the excavation in February 2011 and the excavation was officially launched on May 16. The current excavation is the largest protective excavation since the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site was first excavated in 1921. "The excavation will last at least one or two years," officials said.

The No.1 site of the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site is located on the northeastern slope of Longgu Mountain and is the most important site of the Zhoukoudian Peking Man relics. A total of more than 200 "Peking Man" fossils were excavated at this site since 1921. Currently, the Ape-man Cave still holds one-third of the original accumulations. This is very important for further studies on paleoanthropology, paleogeology and paleoenvironment.

Visitors can watch the excavation at close range

Visitors who are interested in archaeological excavations can make an appointment in advance to visit the excavation site under the guide of experts, and experience the fun and hardships of archaeological excavations in the simulation excavation area.


By People's Daily Online