The Shiyu site in northern China has revealed an extraordinary treasure trove of cultural and technological innovations dating back around 45,000 years, offering new insights into the early Homo sapiens’ migration into East Asia. This discovery, including advanced material culture and sophisticated toolmaking practices, was reported in a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Researchers from an international team examined artifacts from an archaeological collection at the Shiyu site, located in Shanxi Province. The collection included blade technology, tanged and hafted projectile points, long-distance obsidian transfer, and the use of a perforated graphite disk. These findings indicate a high level of skill and innovation in toolmaking, reflecting the complex culture of the inhabitants.
Additionally, the site provided evidence of ochre processing, including the use of two pieces of ochre with different mineral compositions and an elongated limestone slab with ochre stains, indicating the production of pigments of various colors and consistencies. This practice of ochre production represents the earliest known example in Eastern Asia and signifies a sophisticated level of cultural development.
The stone tools found at the site were unique for the region, with a majority being miniaturized and showing evidence of hafting to handles. Functional and residue analysis suggests these tools were used for various purposes, including boring, hide scraping, and cutting soft animal matter.
This discovery challenges the current understanding of cultural innovation and the expansion of early humans out of Africa and across the world. It suggests a more complex scenario of genetic and cultural exchanges over large geographic areas, rather than a single, rapid dispersal wave across Asia. The Xiamabei site, part of this discovery, features a unique set of stone tool artifacts and ochre processing, underscoring the diverse adaptations and cultural practices of early modern humans in the region.
These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of human history and cultural evolution in East Asia, particularly during the key transitional period around 40,000 years ago.