This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows the excavation site of Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan.
The Mengxihe Site has revealed a Paleolithic settlement dating back 60,000 to 80,000 years. Archaeologists believe it offers systematic and novel evidence that could help unravel the origins of Homo sapiens in East Asia.
Discovered in 2021, the Mengxihe Site spans approximately 12,000 square meters. From 2022 to 2024, thousands of stone tools, animal fossils, large and medium-sized wooden artifacts, and remains of plant seeds and fruits were excavated.
Dating back to a crucial phase in the evolution of modern humans, the site offers a rare and remarkably complete snapshot of ancient society, with a wealth of stone tools as well as animal and plant remains, according to a National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) report on the findings. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members excavate and clean the Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows wooden tools discovered from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members sort flotation samples in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows a stratigraphic section of a part of the Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This image shows a piece of wood with cutting marks unearthed from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua)
This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows walnuts and acorns discovered from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
A staff member excavates and takes samples at Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows stone tools discovered from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
A staff member sorts flotation samples in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
An aerial drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows a panorama of Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members make positioning marks at Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This image shows a perforated bone unearthed from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua)
This diagram shows animal fossils unearthed from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua)
A staff member registers flotation samples in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows stone tools discovered from Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members excavate and clean the Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members work at Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Staff members sort flotation samples in Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2025. China on Thursday unveiled its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024, including the Mengxihe Site in Sichuan. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
