Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:20:52.546Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Chronology of newly-discovered Paleolithic artifact assemblages in Lantian (Shaanxi province), central China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Haixin Zhuo ,
Huayu Lu ,
Shejiang Wang ,
Khobaib Ahmad ,
Wenfeng Sun ,
Hongyan Zhang ,
Shuangwen Yi ,
Yongxiang Li  and
Xianyan Wang
Haixin Zhuo
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Huayu Lu*
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Shejiang Wang
Affiliation:
Joint Laboratory of Human Evolution and Archaeometry, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
Khobaib Ahmad
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Wenfeng Sun
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Hongyan Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Shuangwen Yi
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Yongxiang Li
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Xianyan Wang
Affiliation:
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
*
*Corresponding author. School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China. E-mail address:huayulu@nju.edu.cn(H. Lu)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The Homo erectus cranium, mandible and hundreds of associated lithic artifacts found in Lantian (central China) in the 1960s demonstrate that the area was important for hominin habitation during the early to middle Pleistocene. However, the region, which was not adequately researched until the early 2000s, still poses several questions regarding hominin behavior and lithic technology development. In this study, three loess-paleosol sequences (the Jijiawan, Ganyu and Diaozhai sites), from which in situ stone artifacts were recovered, are investigated and dated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), magnetostratigraphy and stratigraphic correlation. The results demonstrate that the artifacts are located within paleosol layers S4 (correlative with marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 11), S3 (MIS 9), S2 (MIS 7), and S1 (MIS 5); and within loess layer L1 (MIS 2-4). The main stone-knapping technique used was direct hard hammer percussion. In addition, the technological features of the stone tools found at these sites exhibit little variation, indicating the presence of a long-established, stable technology in the Lantian area. Our observations show that the ancient humans lived episodically on the terraces of the Bahe River from the early Pleistocene, indicating a long history of hominin occupation of the region.

Keywords

Lithic artifactsLoess-paleosol sequenceBahe RiverOSL datingMagnetostratigraphyCentral China
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 86 , Issue 3 , November 2016 , pp. 316 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © University of Washington 2016

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

An, Z.S., Ho, C.K., 1989. New magnetostratigraphic dates of Lantian Homo erectus. Quaternary Research 32, 213–221.Google Scholar
Buylaert, J.P., Jain, M., Murray, A.S., Thomsen, K.J., Thiel, C., Sohbati, R., 2012. A robust feldspar luminescence dating method for middle and late Pleistocene sediments. Boreas 41, 435–451.Google Scholar
Buylaert, J.P., Vandenberghe, D., Murray, A.S., Huot, S., de Corte, F., Van den Haute, P., 2007. Luminescence dating of old (>70ka) Chinese loess: a comparison of single-aliquot OSL and IRSL techniques. Quaternary Geochronology 5, 9–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, T.M., Yuan, S.X., Gao, S.J., 1984. The study on uranium-series dating of fossil bones and an absolute age sequence for the main Paleolithic sites of North China. Acta Anthropologica Sinica 3 (3), 259–269 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Cunningham, A.C., Wallinga, J., 2010. Selection of integration time intervals for quartz OSL decay curves. Quaternary Geochronology 5 (6), 657–666.Google Scholar
Duller, G.A.T., 2015. The Analyst software package for luminescence data: overview and recent improvements. Ancient TL 33, 35–42.Google Scholar
Feng, X.B., Lu, C.Q., Wang, H., 2011. New advances in the study of Homo erectus site in Yunxian county in Hubei. Jianghan Archaeology 120, 57–64 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Guérin, G., Mercier, N., Adamiec, C., 2011. Dose-rate conversion factors: update. Ancient TL 29, 5–8.Google Scholar
Guo, Z.T., Ruddiman, W.F., Hao, Q.Z., Wu, H.B., Qiao, Y.S., Zhu, R.X., Peng, S.Z., Wei, J.J., Yuan, B.Y., Liu, T.S., 2002. Onset of Asian desertification by 22 Myr ago inferred from loess deposits in China. Nature 416, 159–163.Google Scholar
Heller, F., Liu, T.S., 1982. Magnetostratigraphical dating of loess deposits in China. Nature 300, 431–431.Google Scholar
Huntley, D.J., Baril, M.R., 1997. The K content of the K-feldspars being measured in optical dating or in thermoluminescence dating. Ancient TL 15, 11–13.Google Scholar
Jia, L.P., 1965. The discovery and stratigraphical context of Lantian Homo erectus skull. Chinese Science Bulletin 6, 477–481 (in Chinese).Google Scholar
Kang, S.G., Wang, X.L., Lu, Y.C., 2013. Quartz OSL chronology and dust accumulation rate changes since the last glacial at Weinan on the southeastern Chinese loess plateau. Boreas 42 (4), 815–829.Google Scholar
Kirschvink, J.L., 1980. The least-square line and plane and the analysis of paleomagnetic data. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 62, 699–718.Google Scholar
Lai, Z.P., 2010. Chronology and the upper dating limit for loess samples from Luochuan section in the Chinese loess plateau using quartz OSL SAR protocol. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 37 (2), 176–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lai, Z.P., Fan, A.C., 2014. Examining quartz OSL age underestimation for loess samples from Luochuan in the Chinese loess plateau. Geochronometria 41, 57–64.Google Scholar
Li, B., Li, S.H., 2012. Luminescence dating of K-feldspar from sediments: a protocol without anomalous fading correction. A reply to the comments by Thomsen et al. Quaternary Geochronology 8, 49–51.Google Scholar
Liu, C., Su, P., Li, Y.Q., Zhou, X.Q., 1995. Paleomagnetic study at the sections of Paleolithic site in Dingcun. World of Antiquity 04, 20–26 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Liu, Q.S., Jin, C.S., Hu, P.X., Jiang, Z.X., Ge, K.P., Roberts, A.P., 2015. Magnetostratigraphy of Chinese loessepaleosol sequences. Earth-Science Reviews 150, 139–167.Google Scholar
Liu, T.S., 1985. Loess and the Environment. China Ocean Press, Beijing, pp. 1–251.Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Liu, X.D., Zhang, F.Q., An, Z.S., Dodson, J., 1999. Astronomical calibration of loess-paleosol deposits at Luochuan, central Chinese loess plateau. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatolpgy, Palaeoecology 154, 237–246.Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Wang, S.J., Cosgrove, R., Zhao, C.F., Stevens, T., Zhao, J., 2007. A preliminary survey on loess deposit in eastern Qinling mountains (central China) and its implication for estimating age of the Pleistocene lithic artifacts. Quaternary Sciences 27 (4), 559–567 (in Chinese, with English Abstract).Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Sun, X.F., Wang, S.J., Cosgrove, R., Zhang, H.Y., Yi, S.W., Ma, X.L., Wei, M., Yang, Z.Y., 2011a. Ages for hominid occupation in Lushi Basin, middle of south Luohe river, central China. Journal of Human Evolution 60, 612–617.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Wang, S.J., Cosgrove, R., Sun, X.F., Zhao, J., Sun, D.H., Zhao, C.F., Shen, C., Wei, M., 2011b. Multiphase timing of hominin occupations and the paleoenvironment in Luonan Basin, central China. Quaternary Research 76, 142–147.Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Sun, X.F., Wang, S.J., Cosgrove, R., Shen, C., Zhang, W.C., Zhang, X.B., Wang, X.Y., Yi, S.W., Ma, X.L., Wei, M., 2012. Landform, loess deposit and palaeoenvironmental changes in the South Luohe River (central China) during the hominin occupations. Quaternary Sciences 32, 167–177 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Mejdahl, V., 1987. Internal radioactivity in quartz and feldspar grains. Ancient TL 5, 10–17.Google Scholar
Murray, A.S., Wintle, A.G., 2003. The single aliquot regenerative dose protocol: potential for improvements in reliability. Radiation Measurements 37, 377–381.Google Scholar
Porter, S.C., An, Z.S., Zheng, H.B., 1992. Cyclic Quaternary alluviation and terracing in a nonglaciated drainage basin on the north flank of the Qinling Shan, central China. Quaternary Research 38, 157–169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prescott, J.R., Hutton, J.T., 1994. Cosmic ray contributions to dose rates for luminescence and ESR dating: large depths and long-term time variations. Radiation Measurements 23, 497–500.Google Scholar
Roberts, H.M., 2008. The development and application of luminescence dating to loess deposits: a perspective on the past, present and future. Boreas 37, 483–507.Google Scholar
Sun, X.F., Lu, H.Y., Wang, S.J., Yi, S.W., 2012. Ages of Liangshan Paleolithic sections in Hanzhong Basin, central China. Quaternary Geochronology 10, 380–386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sun, X.F., Lu, H.Y., Wang, S.J., Yi, S.W., Shen, C., Zhang, W.C., 2013. TT-OSL dating of Longyadong middle Paleolithic section and paleoenvironmental implications for hominin occupation in Luonan Basin (central China). Quaternary Research 79, 168–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sun, X.F., Lu, H.Y., Wang, S.J., Cosgrove, R., Zhang, W.C., Yu, K.F., Zhuo, H.X., 2014. Age of newly discovered Paleolithic assemblages at Liuwan site Luonan Basin, central China. Quaternary International 347, 193–199 Google Scholar
Sun, X.F., Li, Y.H., Feng, X.B., Lu, C.Q., Lu, H.Y., Yi, S.W., Wang, S.J., Wu, S.Y., 2016. Pedostratigraphy of aeolian deposition near the Yunxian Man site on the Hanjiang river terraces, Yunxian Basin, central China. Quaternary International 400, 187–194.Google Scholar
Thiel, C., Buylaert, J.-P., Murray, A., Terhorst, B., Hofer, I., Tsukamoto, S., Frechen, M., 2011. Luminescence dating of the Stratzing loess profile (Austria) — testing the potential of an elevated temperature post-IR IRSL protocol. Quaternary International 234, 23–31.Google Scholar
Vandenberghe, D., de Corte, F., Buylaert, J.-P., Ku cera, J., Van den Haute, P., 2008. On the internal radioactivity in quartz. Radiation Measurements 43, 771–775.Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., 2005. Perspectives on Hominin behavior and settlement patterns: a study of the lower Paleolithic sections in the Luonan Basin, China. In: British Archaeological Reports International Series 1406 Archaeo press, Oxford, pp. 1–248.Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., Lu, H.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Zhao, J., Cosgrove, R., Yi, S.W., Sun, X.F., Wei, M., Garvey, J., Ma, X.L., 2008. A preliminary survey of Paleolithic artifacts and loess deposition in the middle South Luo River, Eastern Qinling Mountains, central China. Quaternary Sciences 28 (6), 988–999 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., Lu, H.Y., 2014. Current Perspectives on Paleolithic archaeology in the upper Hanjiang river valley, Central China. Acta Anthropologica Sinica 33 (3), 316–328 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., Lu, H.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Sun, X.F., Yi, S.W., Chen, Y.Y., Zhang, G.K., Xing, L.D., Sun, W.G., 2014a. Newly discovered Palaeolithic artifacts from loess deposits and their ages in Lantian, central China. Chinese Science Bulletin 59 (7), 651–661.Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., Sun, X.F., Lu, H.Y., Yi, S.W., Zhang, G.K., Xing, L.D., Zhuo, H.X., Yu, K.F., Wang, W., 2014b. Newly discovered Paleolithic open-air sections in Hanzhong Basin in upper valley of Hanjiang river and their ages. Acta Anthropologica Sinica 33 (2), 125–136 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Wang, S.J., Zhang, X.B., Lu, H.Y., Xing, L.D., Zhang, G.K., 2013. New discovered Paleolithic open-air sites at Shangdan Basin in the upper Danjiang river valley, eastern Qinling Mountains, Central China. Acta Anthropologica Sinica 32 (4), 421–431 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Wei, Q., 2000. On the artifacts from Xihoudu site. Acta Anthropologica Sinica 02, 85–96.Google Scholar
Wintle, A.G., Murray, A.S., 2006. A review of quartz optically stimulated luminescence characteristics and their relevance in single-aliquot regeneration dating protocols. Radiation Measurements 41 (4), 369–391.Google Scholar
Woo, J.K., 1964. Mandible of the Sinanthropus-type discovered at Lantian, Shensi. Vertebrata Palasiatica 8 (1), 1–12 (in Chinese, with English Abstract).Google Scholar
Wu, W.X., Liu, T.S., 2002. Study on the loess-paleosol sequence of the Dingcun Paleolithic sites. Seismology and Geology 24, 241–248.Google Scholar
Wu, Y., Zhu, Z.Y., Qiu, S.F., Rao, Z.G., 2013. A rock magnetic record of Asian cooling and aridification processes during 1.95-0.40 Ma in the southeastern Chinese loess plateau. Chinese Science Bulletin 58 (30), 3636–3644.Google Scholar
Xiao, J.L., Jin, C.Z., Zhu, Y.Z., 2002. TT-OSL and post-IR IRSL dating of the Dali man site in central China. Quaternary Science Reviews 21, 2191–2198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yi, S.W., Buylaert, J.P., Murray, A.S., Thiel, C., Zeng, L., Lu, H.Y., 2015. High resolution OSL and post-IR IRSL dating of the last interglacial—glacial cycle at the Sanbahuo loess site (northeastern China). Quaternary Geochronology 30, 200–206.Google Scholar
Yi, S.W., Buylaert, J.-P., Murray, A.S., Lu, H.Y., Thiel, C., Zeng, L., 2016. A Detailed Post-IR IRSL Dating Study of the Niuyangzigou Loess Site in Northeastern China. Boreas, Online.Google Scholar
Yin, G.M., Bahain, J.J., Shen, G.J., Tissoux, H., Falgueres, C., Dolo, J.M., Han, F., Shao, Q.F., 2011. ESR/U-series study of teeth recovered from the palaeoanthropological stratum of the Dali man site (Shaanxi province, China). Quaternary Geochronology 6, 98–105.Google Scholar
Zhao, J., Lu, H.Y., Wang, X.Y., Zhang, H.Y., Wang, S.J., 2008. Magnetic properties of the loess deposit in Eastern Qinling mountains and an investigation on the magnetic susceptibility enhancement. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica 26 (6), 1052–1062 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Zheng, H.B., An, Z.S., Shaw, J., 1992. New contributions to Chinese Pliopleistocene magnetostratigraphy Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 70, 146–153.Google Scholar
Zhu, R.X., An, Z.S., Potts, R., Hoffman, K.A., 2003. Magnetostratigraphic dating of early humans in China. Earth-Science Reviews 61, 341–359.Google Scholar
Zhu, Z.Y., Dennell, R., Huang, W.W., Wu, Y., Rao, Z.G., Qiu, S.F., Xie, J.B., Liu, W., Fu, S.Q., Han, J.W., Zhou, H.Y., OuYang, T.P., Li, H.M., 2015. New dating of the Homo erectus cranium from Lantian (Gongwangling), China. Journal of Human Evolution 78, 144–157.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Zhuo et al. Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material

Download Zhuo et al. Supplementary Material(File)
File 49.5 KB