Search blogs for entries on Yuanmou

Afarensis

Anthropology.net

John Hawkes

Mundo Neanderthal (Español)

Caveman's Corner

Google Blog Search

Approximate age:1,100,000 years old=average of minimum (0.5 Ma) and maximum (1.7 Ma)

Date based on: Biochronology and paleomagnetism See map of sites with similar ages

Dating reference: Zhu, R. X., Potts, R., Pan, Y. X., Lue, L. Q., Yao, H. T., Deng, C. L., et al. (2008). Paleomagnetism of the Yuanmou Basin near the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its constraints on late Neogene sedimentation and tectonic rotation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 272(1-2), 97-104.

Hominids: Homo      

Archaeology:Oldowan/undiagnostic  Fire    

Important specimens: Lithics, hominin teeth, hearths

Notes: The argument for an very early Pleistocene age (1.7 Ma) is based on correlating their reversed to normal transition to the Olduvai event and not the Jaramillo event. Conservatively, this could be from under 1 Ma to under 1.7 Ma. Yuanmou has been know since the 60s. More material of uncertain stratigraphic relation to the original hominid teeth was recovered in the work that followed the discovery.

Location: Shangnabang, China
Map location/coordinates reference: Zhu, R. X., Potts, R., Pan, Y. X., Lue, L. Q., Yao, H. T., Deng, C. L., et al. (2008). Paleomagnetism of the Yuanmou Basin near the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its constraints on late Neogene sedimentation and tectonic rotation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 272(1-2), 97-104.

Key references: Fire use (Hearths): James, S. R., Dennell, R. W., Gilbert, A. S., Lewis, H. T., Gowlett, J. A. J., Lynch, T. F., et al. (1989). Hominid Use of Fire in the Lower and Middle Pleistocene: A Review of the Evidence [and Comments and Replies]. Current Anthropology, 30(1), 1-26.