Over 100 Paleolithic sites unearthed in NW China's Shaanxi

XI'AN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have discovered more than 100 Paleolithic sites in the city of Weinan, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, confirming that human activity in this region dates back at least 600,000 years.

The sites were identified during a year-long special survey under the fourth national cultural relics census in Shaanxi.

These findings provide crucial evidence of ancient human evolution in the area and refine academic understanding of early human history and cultural traits on the eastern Guanzhong Plain -- once the heartland of ancient China.

Weinan has a long history of Paleolithic archaeology, including the landmark discoveries of the "Lantian Man" and "Dali Man" fossils during the 1960s and 1970s. Since 2020, surveys led by the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology, have revealed extensive clues regarding Paleolithic culture across the city.

Zu Liang, curator of Weinan Museum, said these findings extend the historical timeline of continuous human habitation in the area, and offer evidence for tracing the cultural legacy of the Yellow River.