Ever heard of the Peking Man? Well if you have probably heard of it, you will definitely find this site alluring. Zhoukoudian or Choukoutien is a system of caves in Beijing where many archaeological findings were unearthed, including the most notable: the Peking Man. It was one of the first specimens of Homo erectus, which was believed to be the oldest species of human beings who lived in the area about 200,000 to 750,000 years ago.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a huge draw for tourists staying in nearby Beijing hotels. Most of the hotels have included this spot in their itinerary. However, if you want to add this site to your trip, you can approach any of the generous staff of different Beijing hotels so that they can very well include this in your tour stops.
In 1921, a Swedish geologist named Johan Gunnar Andersson together with the American paleontologist Walter W. Granger were led to an area called Dragon Bone Hill by local quarry men. There, Johan immediately realized that this is a good place to search for human remains.
Since 1926, the cave was constantly excavated, uncovering about 200 human fossils from forty individuals identified as Homo erectus. In addition, more than 10,000 pieces of stoneware, cinder layers and animal fossils from 200 various varieties were found. Zhoukoudian was considered as one of the most important sites which yielded evidences from the Middle Pleistocene Era.
At present, an exhibition hall with seven rooms is located at Zhoukoudian's Dragon Bone Hill. The fossil remains of the Peking man and his external appearance, stone tools, general living conditions and evidence of his use of fire are shown in the first room. We recommended that you book your tickets in advance or visit any of the Beijing hotels where you can be assisted with your touring needs.
The Hilltop Cavemen and animal fossils, stone tools, bone needles and decorative objects can be found in the second room.
Fossils of men found in various parts of China, such as the Dingcun Man, Hetao Man and other fossil copies of the ancient jungle and southern ancient apes, Java, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon Man are located in the third room.
The fourth room shows the geological history of the residence of the Peking Man. It also displays the course of human and animal evolution through different periods of history.
The fifth and sixth rooms exhibit fossils of vertebrates and fishes discovered in other locations around Zhoukoudian.
The seventh room contains the fossils of some of the animals hunted by the Peking man, which included the tiger and the bear. Also discovered at the site were elephant and rhinoceros fossils, which give us a clue of the changing climate before.
It is interesting to note that this attraction gives us a glimpse of the simplicity of human life thousands of years ago. Now, in the age of modernity, allow the different hotels in Beijing to pamper you with the comfort you deserve after a day of travel and work. - 30294
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a huge draw for tourists staying in nearby Beijing hotels. Most of the hotels have included this spot in their itinerary. However, if you want to add this site to your trip, you can approach any of the generous staff of different Beijing hotels so that they can very well include this in your tour stops.
In 1921, a Swedish geologist named Johan Gunnar Andersson together with the American paleontologist Walter W. Granger were led to an area called Dragon Bone Hill by local quarry men. There, Johan immediately realized that this is a good place to search for human remains.
Since 1926, the cave was constantly excavated, uncovering about 200 human fossils from forty individuals identified as Homo erectus. In addition, more than 10,000 pieces of stoneware, cinder layers and animal fossils from 200 various varieties were found. Zhoukoudian was considered as one of the most important sites which yielded evidences from the Middle Pleistocene Era.
At present, an exhibition hall with seven rooms is located at Zhoukoudian's Dragon Bone Hill. The fossil remains of the Peking man and his external appearance, stone tools, general living conditions and evidence of his use of fire are shown in the first room. We recommended that you book your tickets in advance or visit any of the Beijing hotels where you can be assisted with your touring needs.
The Hilltop Cavemen and animal fossils, stone tools, bone needles and decorative objects can be found in the second room.
Fossils of men found in various parts of China, such as the Dingcun Man, Hetao Man and other fossil copies of the ancient jungle and southern ancient apes, Java, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon Man are located in the third room.
The fourth room shows the geological history of the residence of the Peking Man. It also displays the course of human and animal evolution through different periods of history.
The fifth and sixth rooms exhibit fossils of vertebrates and fishes discovered in other locations around Zhoukoudian.
The seventh room contains the fossils of some of the animals hunted by the Peking man, which included the tiger and the bear. Also discovered at the site were elephant and rhinoceros fossils, which give us a clue of the changing climate before.
It is interesting to note that this attraction gives us a glimpse of the simplicity of human life thousands of years ago. Now, in the age of modernity, allow the different hotels in Beijing to pamper you with the comfort you deserve after a day of travel and work. - 30294
About the Author:
Author E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works closely with the Henan Plaza Beijing and many other beijing hotels. Go to his website on the Henan Plaza Beijing here.
