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Shangchen
34.2186° N, 109.4856° E
About
Shangchen (Chinese: 上陈) is a Lower Palaeolithic archaeological site in Lantian County, Shaanxi, China, some 25 km south of Weinan. It was discovered in 1964, and excavated during 2004 and 2017. Stone tools found at the site were dated based on magnetostratigraphy in a 2018 study. Artefacts were found in 17 layers, dated to between 1.26 Ma (palaeosol S15) and 2.12 Ma (loess L28). The date of 2.12 Ma predates the earliest known fossils of archaic humans in Eurasia (Homo erectus georgicus) by 300,000 years. Whether these tools were made by an early species in the genus Homo or another hominin species is unknown.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Youngest artefact-bearing layer dated
1.26 Ma
Oldest artefact-bearing layer dated
2.12 Ma
Initial discovery
1964
Renewed research and survey
2001
Lantian Man skull re-evaluation
2001
Excavations
2004–2017
Publication of results
July 2018
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Environmental and Natural Features
Frequently Asked Questions
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