UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
China

Fuyan Cave

Limestone cave complex in Hunan, China

Location

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Historical Context

About

Fuyan Cave (Chinese: 福岩洞) is a complex of limestone caves in Tangbei village, Lefutang town, Daoxian, Hunan province, south central China famous for the discovery of the oldest evidence for unambiguously fully modern humans outside Africa. 47 human teeth, dating to between 80,000 and 120,000 years ago, were discovered at Fuyan Cave. The teeth are also unusual for showing signs of cavities, a feature typically not found in teeth older than 50,000 years. However, a later study focusing on autosomal DNA analysis of the remains challenged this assertion, and found that the remains were younger than previously suspected.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Discovery

1984

Excavation (2011)

2011

Excavation (2013)

2013

Stalagmite minimum age

at least 80,000 years ago

Reanalysis of specimen FY-HT2

9380±90 BP

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

China

Coordinates

25.65° N, 111.48° E