Travel DestinationsHeritage SitesDiscover The Early Paleolithic Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian

Discover The Early Paleolithic Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian

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World Heritage Sites are preserved with great authenticity. And this is done in order to protect the places that are of historical significance, cultural abundance, man-made miracles, architecture and landscapes. But today we are going to look at a place quite different yet most significant one. It is more than historical significance, precious than any cultural stating and art that is worth an m million yet can never be sold. The site is Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian! A site that marks the beginning of mankind and proved the presence of Homo sapiens!

About Peking man Site at Zhoukoudian

Peking man Site
Peking man Site: Image Credit/archdaily.com

The Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is located in the extreme north plain of China. The Site is standing proof of the existence of humans from the Paleolithic Period. Some amazing findings were excavated from the site that made the place a restricted area. Human teeth and other fossils were discovered that were not less than 700,000 years old. Further digging revealed the most precious things for an archeologist. Fossils of animals, utensils used during the Paleolithic period are some of them.
Research showed that the surrounding and ample water supply is some factors that allowed the early humans to survive and thrive in this region.

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History of the place

Zhoukoudian_Entrance
Zhoukoudian_Entrance: Image Credit/wikipedia.com

The history of the place is way more than the history itself! This site marks the presence of humans even before they could say history. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian has traced back to the Paleolithic period with its archeological findings. The first excavation was started in 1921 when Johan Gunnar and Walter W Granger found some alien element in the surrounding of Dragon Bone Hill. When they dug further, human teeth and animal fossils were discovered. After sending the fossils to the laboratory it was confirmed that the fossils were from Paleolithic Period.

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Soon special permission and funding were declared to excavate the area to find out more. Then rest was history. Now the place is inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with limited tourism to protect and preserve the site. The site strictly follows the cultural heritage plan to gear up the protection of the place. While talking about the protection we will have to take an avid look into that topic!

A snippet of the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian for the tourist

Zhoukoudian Excavation Sites
Zhoukoudian Excavation Sites: Image credit/archdaily.com

The First and the foremost important thing is to hire a cab for your tour. This not only makes the tour hustle-free but also saves some of your precious time. Follow the Sign or the board that welcomes you to the heritage site. Upon reaching the site, go through the road again keeping the logo or symbol as a way tracker. First, you will come to a point or excavation that was first found in the year 1921, maybe the first ever site discovered here. You can explore the caves that have been a part of the museum and allow tourists to visit. One can explore the place and help in understanding the evolution of human life in that part of the region.

The landscapes and surroundings

Peking Man In A Museum
Peking Man In A Museum: Image Credit/amnh.org

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is situated in a place that has an ample amount of water supply. That is one factor an entire human race of Paleolithic age survived there. The next thing is the green forest that provided food and other supplies. The mountains and the hills are limestones and there was proof of producing fire for the necessities.
The Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is a site that indicated the presence of life thriving. With human bones and teeth, discovered from the place, it ensures more digging to confirm the presence of Paleolithic humans.

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The Cultural Heritage

Excavation caves
Excavation caves: Image Credit/issuu.com

The Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian happens to be one of the most important cultural aspects of the place. The research showed that Peking man learned the techniques of making tools for hunting. This shows the evolution of man from that of being called apes!
The work related to this site is still under process. And in a long run, it is said that the excavation will reveal much-hidden knowledge of the first human on earth. However, the findings of the Peking Man still is in debate, hence we need to wait for more for the excavation in the future. Tourists love the fact that human evolution that they were aware of from textbooks now is living proof in front of them. The findings, surroundings and the limestone are other attraction that pulls tourists, archeologists and students equally to the place.

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World Heritage sites are of different types. Some are known for their external beauty, some are well-preserved age-old architecture. Some represent the cultural aspects and some are known for thriving the tradition. But can you imagine the fact that Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian stands for human evolution! Go visit the place and get astounding like never before.
Bon Voyage

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