The Hualong Cave Site in Chizhou, with the meaning of "Primogenitor of Chinese nation, Descendant of the Dragon," has recently commenced its fourth archaeological excavation. This undertaking is jointly conducted by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Anhui Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and the Cultural and Tourism Bureau of Dongzhi County.

The Hualong Cave Paleolithic Site is located at the southern foot of Meiyuan Mountain, Pangwang Group, Wangcun Village, Yaodu Town, Dongzhi County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. In 2014, 2015, and 2018, three large-scale archaeological excavations were carried out here, revealing a significant number of ancient human fossils, hundreds of stone artifacts, and a large quantity of animal bone specimens.

"In addition to the discovery of human remains, the Hualong Cave Site has also unearthed over 60 species of mammal fossils, tools used by humans, and numerous cutting and smashing marks. It is the most complete site in our country, after Zhoukoudian, where we have found ancient human fossils, stone artifacts, and mammal fossils simultaneously. It plays a crucial role in exploring the evolutionary history of our Chinese civilization," said Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Next, we will further develop the Hualong Cave Site into a scientific research and popular science base through environmental improvements in the surrounding area of the site, to promote archaeological tourism and study tours," stated Jin Zetian, the person in charge of cultural heritage protection at the Cultural and Tourism Bureau of Dongzhi County.

Source: anhuinews.com