Chinese scientists find skull fossil of homo erectus in E China
Xinhua, November 20, 2015 Adjust font size:
Chinese scientists have discovered the fossilized skull of homo erectus found in eastern China's Anhui province, they announced Friday.
The fossil is the latest discovery at the Hualongdong archaeological site, in Dongzhi county of eastern China's Anhui province, said Liu Wu, a scientist with the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The skull, which shows the face of a homo erectus, has remained well preserved, said Liu. It dates back around 150,000 to 412,000 years or more, Liu said, adding the exact age shall be further examined.
This is another important site for homo erectus after findings were made in Zhoukoudian, where Peking men lived, Lantian, Hexian county and Nanjing, said Liu.
Archaeological exploration started in 2006 in Hualongdong. More than 6,000 fossils of vertebrate animals and stoneware have been found. Skull parts, teeth and bones have also been found.
"It is quite uncommon to find such a great variety of fossils at a single site," said Liu.
"It bears great scientific value for the research of human evolution in China and East Asia," said Liu. Endi