Manmade fire deemed the beginning of human history 人造火被认为是人类历史的开始

The sedimentation layer of the caveman site at Longgu Mountain, Zhoukoudian, Beijing, is over 40 meters deep. Archeological study shows that Peking Man started to live in Zhoukoudian about 700,000 years ago and lived there for about 500,000 years. More than 17,000 pieces of stoneware, including choppers, scrapers, and arrowheads, were unearthed from the area. The six- meter-thick ash layer is evidence of Peking Man’s ability to use fire for warmth, to cook food, give light, and drive away beasts.

Peking Man, while retaining some physical features of apes, walked upright and had a brain capacity much higher than the ape’s, about 76 percent of that of modern humans. Remains of the Upper Cave Man were found in caves at the top of Longgu Mountain. Three pieces of human skull bones and some skeleton fossils; bone needles created by scratching, cutting, grinding, and drilling; pierced stone pearls, clam shells, and beast tusks; and other adornments were unearthed at the site. These indicate that the Upper Cave Man, who lived about 18,000 years ago, had mastered the skill of drilling wood to make fire.

Manmade fire is deemed the beginning of human history. Upper Cave Man had nearly the equivalent brain capacity of modern human beings, as well as a similar physique and appearance.