The paleolithic site of Longwangchan in the middle Yellow River, China: chronology, paleoenvironment and implications

The Longwangchan Paleolithic site, situated on the Yellow River terraces in the Hukou area, Shaanxi province, China, was found in 2003–2004, and two areas (Localities 1 and 2) of the site were excavated in 2005–2008. Abundant stone artifacts including microliths, a grinding stone fragment and a shovel, with some animal bones and shells, were recovered from Locality 1. In this study, the cultural deposits from Locality 1 were dated using radiocarbon and optical dating techniques, and the sediment properties of the deposits were analyzed. The results show that the age of the deposits ranges from 29 to 21 ka and most of them were deposited between 25 ka and 29 ka. This indicates that corresponds to late Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and early MIS 2. During the human occupation period, the climate in this area became colder and drier. Sediments from beds where the grinding slab and the shovel were found were dated to ∼25 ka, which is the oldest among the grinding stones found in China. The microliths and the grinding stone are important evidence for an incipient socio-economic process that eventually led to the regional transition from hunting-foraging to farming.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (350 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Microliths and grinding stones were excavated from the Longwangchan Paleolithic site in the middle reaches of Yellow River. ► The site was dated to 21–29 ka using radiocarbon and optical dating methods. ► Paleoenvironment was reconstructed. ► The ∼25 ka old grinding stones may indicate the beginning of agriculture.