(August 29, 2002) Scientists say they have discovered more hominid fossils in the Three Gorges region than in any other part of China, with traces of human activity found there that date back more than 2 million years.

A team of Chinese and French archaeologists has completed its third mission at Wu Mountain and concluded that “Lantian man” probably did not originate at Lantian Mountain as previously thought. The team led by Huang Wanbo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reports that the home of “Lantian Man”, who lived more than a million years ago, is more likely located south of Qinling Mountain. Although there is evidence the Lantian Man roamed in and around Lantian Mountain in Shaanxi province the geology and climate there likely could not have supported his evolution. Lantian Man likely moved there from Wu Mountain as glaciers began to recede. Researcher Huang has put forward the theory that the “Three Gorges along the Yangtze River is a cradle of human evolution”. He said that large quantities of hominid remains have been found in Three Gorges along the Yangtze River. Archaeological research has been conducted in the area for more than 20 years. Scientists say they have discovered more hominid fossils in this region than in any other part of China. Traces of human activity have been found in the Three Gorges area that date back more than 2 million years. Huang further added that Wu mountain man along with other human evolutionary ancestors all lived along the Yangtze River valley.

People’s Daily Online, August 29, 2002