Zhoukoudian: the birthplace of palaeoanthropology and the stimulus for Paleolithic archaeology in China

Zhoukoudian, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China, stands as the birthplace of palaeoanthropology and a pivotal stimulus for Paleolithic archaeology. Excavated since 1921, this site has yielded an unparalleled record of prehistoric human activity spanning from 700,000 to 10,000 years ago. It contains the most abundant, systematic, and valuable collection of human fossils, stone artifacts, ornaments, and mammalian fossils globally. The research highlights Zhoukoudian's significance in transnational scientific history, emphasizing its role in establishing Paleolithic archaeology in China and its enduring importance as a geoheritage site.

Sun, C. (2024). Zhoukoudian: the birthplace of palaeoanthropology and the stimulus for Paleolithic archaeology in China. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 543(1), 343–356. https://doi.org/10.1144/sp543-2022-272