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Paleomagnetic dating of the Cenjiawan Paleolithic site in the Nihewan Basin, northern China

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Abstract

Rock magnetic and magnetostratigraphic investigations on a lacustrine sequence in the Nihewan Basin, northern China, which bears the Cenjiawan Paleolithic site, indicate that the dominant magnetic mineral and remanence carrier contained in the sediments is magnetite. While hematite co-exists with magnetite in some portions of the Cenjiawan sequence, where characteristic remanent magnetizations are carried by both magnetite and hematite. Measurements of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the Cenjiawan sequence has preserved the original sedimentary features and is suitable for magnetostratigraphic study. Paleomagnetic results indicate that the Cenjiawan Paleolithic site is formed just posterior to the Punaruu normal event, which is dated at about 1.1 Ma. Combined with the paleomagnetic results of the Donggutuo, Xiaochangliang and Majuangou sections, it is concluded that early humans were occupying the Nihewan Basin around 1.6, 1.3 and 1.1 Ma. This integrated result is significant to understanding the ability of migration and adaptation to the environment of early humans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Wang Hongqiang, Deng Chenglong & Zhu Rixiang

  2. School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Wang Hongqiang

  3. Hebei Province Institute of Cultural Relics, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China

    Xie Fei

Authors
  1. Wang Hongqiang
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  2. Deng Chenglong
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  3. Zhu Rixiang
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  4. Xie Fei
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Correspondence to Zhu Rixiang.

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Wang, H., Deng, C., Zhu, R. et al. Paleomagnetic dating of the Cenjiawan Paleolithic site in the Nihewan Basin, northern China. SCI CHINA SER D 49, 295–303 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0295-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0295-7

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