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Baishiya Karst Cave
35.4481° N, 102.5714° E
About
Baishiya Karst Cave (Chinese: 白石崖溶洞) is a high-altitude paleoanthropological site and a Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau in Xiahe County, Gansu, China. This karst cave is the site of the discovery of the earliest hominin fossil found on the Tibetan Plateau, the Xiahe mandible. The mandible, by way of palaeoproteomic analysis, is the first confirmed discovery of a Denisovan fossil outside of Denisova Cave. This fossil discovery shows that archaic hominins were present in a high-altitude, low-oxygen environment by around 160,000 years ago.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Ancient DNA layers recovered
45,000–100,000 years ago
Mandible discovery
1980
Panchen Lama visit
1982
Research begins
2010
Calcareous crust dating
c. 165,000 years ago
International collaboration and survey
2016
First systematic excavation
2018
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Religious and Ritual Structures
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Food Production and Processing Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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