Discovery of the technological challenges of Quina see the vision of ancient human development in East Asia

Although the Middle Paleolithic period is considered a dynamic period of European and African history, it is generally considered a static period in East Asia. New research from Washington University question this perception.

The researchers discovered a complete Quina technological system – a method for making a set of tools – on the Longtan site in southwest China, which was dated 50,000 to 60,000 years. Quina technology was found in Europe decades ago, but has never been previously found in East Asia.

The team published his conclusions on March 31 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“It is a big upheaval in the way we think of this part of the world during this period,” said Ben Marwick, co-author and UW archeology teacher. “It really raises the question of what people did elsewhere during this period that we have not yet found? How will it change how we think of people and human evolution In this area? “”

The age of the average Paleolithic, or in the middle, occurred about 300,000 to 40,000 years ago and is considered a crucial moment in human evolution. The period is associated with the origin and evolution of modern humans in Africa. In Eurasia, it is linked to the development of several archaic human groups, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. However, there is a widespread belief that development in China was slow during most of the Paleolithic.

The Quina system identified in China is dated 55,000 years ago, which is in the same period as European discoveries. This disputes the idea that the Middle Paleolithic stagnated in the region and deepens the understanding of Homo sapiens, Denisovans and perhaps other homestones.

The most distinctive part of the Quina system is the scraper – a stone tool which is generally thick and asymmetrical with a wide and clear work edge which has clear signs of use and rehabling. The researchers found several, as well as the by-products of their manufacture. Tiny scratches and chips on the tools indicate that they have been used to scrape and scrape the bones, woods or wood.

Marwick said that the question now becomes: how has this toolbox arrived in East Asia? Researchers will work to determine if there is a direct connection—People gradually moving from west to east – or if the technology has been invented independently without direct contact between groups.

This will help if researchers can find a archaeological site With a deep set of layers, Marwick said, so that they can see which tools developed before the appearance of Quina technology.

“We can try to see if they did something similar beforehand that Quina seemed to evolve,” said Marwick. “Then, we could say that development seems to be more local – they experienced different forms in previous generations, and they finally perfected it. Alternatively, if Quina appears without any sign of experimentation, which suggests that this has been transmitted from another group.”

There are probably several reasons why Quina technology has just been found in East Asia. A factor, said Marwick, is that archaeologists working in China learn more about archeology in other parts of the world and how to recognize their results. He said that the rhythm of research is also increasing, which means that archaeologists are more likely to find rarer artifacts.

“The idea that nothing has changed for so long in East Asia has also has a close grip on people,” said Marwick. “They have not considered the possibility of finding things that question. Now there are perhaps researchers who wish to question these ideas.”

A large part of the archaeological discovery is based on luck, said Marwick, but an objective for the future is to discover human remains in the region.

“This could answer the question of whether these tools are the product of a modern human like you and me,” said Marwick. “There has never been any Neanderthals found in East Asia, but could we find a Neanderthal? Or, more likely, could we find an Denisovan, who is another type of human ancestor? If we can find human remains associated with this period, we could find something surprising-can even be a new human ancestor that we do not yet know.”