Important Discovery in Liaoning Province
The Yingkou Jinniushan Site in Liaoning Province, China, is renowned for its significant contributions to understanding human evolution. This early Paleolithic cave site dates back approximately 260,000 years, making it an invaluable resource for archaeologists and historians alike.
Located in Xitian Village, Yong’an Town, Dashiqiao City, this site was discovered during a cultural relics survey conducted in Liaoning in 1972. In September 1984, an archaeological team from Peking University unearthed a remarkably complete fossilized skeleton of an ancient human in Cave A at the site.
This skeleton, belonging to a young female aged between 20 and 22, includes over 50 pieces of cranial and vertebral bones. Her cranial capacity is estimated to be around 1,335 to 1,390 milliliters, displaying both advanced and primitive features, which bridge the gap between Homo erectus and early Homo sapiens.
The specimen, known as the ‘Jinniushan Man,’ represents a transitional phase in human evolution. Such fossils are rare and provide a crucial link in understanding the development of early human species, both in China and globally. The Jinniushan Man exhibits characteristics of early Homo sapiens along with primitive traits of Peking Man.
In 2021, the Jinniushan Site was recognised as one of China’s Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries in the Past 100 Years. This acknowledgment underscores its importance in the field of archaeology, particularly in the study of human evolutionary history.
The discovery at Jinniushan fills a critical gap in our understanding of human evolution. It highlights a rare evolutionary phase that significantly contributes to both global and Chinese prehistoric research. Although no further excavations are currently planned, the site continues to be a focal point for scholars interested in the evolution of early human species. The fossils found here are among the few from this stage worldwide, making the site invaluable for research.
Last updated: 8 April 2026, 7:04 am
