Terrace development and sedimentary stratigraphy and (b) four groups stone artifacts of refitting relationships at Shanghu site. (Credit: Ya’na JIA, Sanling LI, Wenjie ZHAO, Yan ZHU, Chonghao LIU, Hua TU, Hao LI, Yuzhu ZHANG)
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Palaeogeography offers fresh insights into how early humans in East Asia responded to extreme climate changes during the Last Glacial Maximum. Led by Prof. Yuzhu Zhang of Northwest University, the research, titled Environmental Evolution and Hominin Behavior Adaptation of Shanghu Paleolithic Site, Jiangxi Province, integrates geological and archaeological data to examine migration patterns and technological innovations 26,000 years ago.
The recently excavated Shanghu site in Jiangxi Province is one of southern China’s richest Paleolithic locations, containing a dense concentration of stone artifacts. Researchers used advanced soil micromorphology, sedimentology, geochemistry, and lithic refitting techniques to analyze the site’s well-preserved sediment layers. Their findings indicate that the homogeneous red soil layer B remained largely undisturbed by water flow, preserving crucial evidence of human activity.
One of the most significant discoveries is the presence of small flake tools, a hallmark of northern Chinese lithic traditions. This suggests that populations from northern China migrated southward during the harsh, arid conditions of Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS2), bringing their tool-making techniques with them.
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The study reveals that the Shanghu hominins occupied the region during a cooler, drier period compared to earlier humid phases. Geological evidence, such as low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values and increased magnetic susceptibility, indicates reduced weathering intensity, aligning with global MIS2 cooling trends.
In response to resource scarcity caused by climatic instability, early humans at Shanghu stockpiled raw materials and relied on highly portable small flake tools. These adaptive strategies mirror those found in northern “small flake tool” cultures, supporting the theory that technological traditions spread southward as populations adjusted to shifting environmental conditions.
The study underscores how climate-driven migration and technological adaptation played a crucial role in human survival during the Ice Age. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of early human resilience and mobility in response to environmental challenges.
