Peking Man Site
The site of the paleolithic Peking Man is in Zhoukoudian
village, 48km (30 miles) southwest of Beijing. The area received
worldwide fame with the recovery of the first skulls of Peking Man
in 1929. The fossil remains have been approximated to be around
500,000 years old.
Aside from the Peking Man, bones of 40 inhabitants,
most notably ‘Hilltop Caveman’ provide an interesting look into
this early community. Visitors can explore the cave occupied by
Peking Man, which is located on the northern face of Dragon Bone
Hill (longgushan). The cave spans 140 meters (460ft) and
is 40 meters (130ft) high. The cave where Hilltop Caveman lived
can also be visited.
In addition, there is an exhibition hall which
display fossils remains of the human inhabitants, animals fossils,
stone tools and decorative objects. Unfortunately, most of the original
fossils were lost en route to the US for safekeeping during World
War II and only a few genuine articles remain at the site.
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