학술논문
High-precision U-series dating of Locality 1 at Zhoukoudian, China
Document Type
Article
Source
Journal of Human Evolution; December 2001, Vol. 41 Issue: 6 p679-688, 10p
Subject
Language
ISSN
00472484; 10958606
Abstract
Thermal ionization mass spectrometric230Th/234U dating has been carried out on intercalated speleothem samples from the limestone cave occupied by Homo erectusat Zhoukoudian, China. The samples were recently collected in proper stratigraphic context after detailed field examinations. The results show that the age of the No. 5 Skull from Layer 3 is >400ka, possibly in the range of about 400–500ka, and that the hominid fossils from the lower strata are at least 600ka and possibly >800ka, much older than previously thought. The near-equilibrium230Th/234U ratios and internal consistency of the dates and stratigraphy lend credence to the results and allow us to comment on their important implications for human evolution.