Unearthed in Yuanqu, ape fossils dated probably to 45 million years ago might be one of the earliest forms of world’s primates. From probably 3 million to the end of Pleistocene era, the time archaeologists called Palaeolithic, our remote ancestors lived in small mobile groups, scavenging for foods, as well as hunting, gathering, and fishing. Their way of life progressed from eating uncooked carcasses to using and making fires. They passed along knowledge of stone tool technology from generations to generations, thus creating material cultures that distinguish one from another.
In Shanxi, more than 300 palaeolithic sites have been identified so far, the highest number of sites dating before 10,000 B.P. ever found in a single province. The archaeological evidences from these recovered materials point to the fact that two main cultural complexes, represented by two different stone tool industries, might have co-existed in North China. The study of these materials provides us with a unique opportunity to understand the past of Shanxi in Palaeolithic time.
Neolithic began around 10,000 BP. People began to use ground stone implements, to make pottery, and to build houses. The way of life was greatly improved. Agriculture and husbandry began to emerge. People began to settle down in the form of clan society. And their aesthetic sensation had become stronger. All this added up to help in advance towards civilizations.
In Shanxi, more than 2,000 Neolithic sites dating to 4,000 – 7,000 BP including well-known early farming village site of Zaoyuan as well as Xiyin site with famous pottery wares. The discovery of Taosi site gave a vivid picture of the legendary “Tangyao” and exhibited an embryonic the beginning of state formation which manifests that the south of Shanxi is indeed the taproot of the Chinese nation and its civilization.
