Abstract
U-series ages of a set of speleothem samples from the two caves near Tangshan Town, Nanjing, determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), range from older than 500 KaBP to around 20 kaBP. These dated speleothems with unequivocal stratigraphic layers in cave sediments provide basic data to establish a geochronologic sequence for the cave sediments. Together with the buried layers of two hominid craniums, it is argued that the two fossil craniums, probably transported into the cave, deposited in different geological periods. The ages of one flowstone sample and stalagmites mark an upper limit of 500 KaBP for geochronology of No. 1 fossil cranium, and suggest No. 2 fossil cranium deposited within the age range of 500–240 KaBP.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wang Yongjin, Chen Qi, Liu Zechunet al., A continuous 200-ka paleoclimatic record from stalagmite in Tangshan Cave, Nanjing,Chinese Science Bulletin (in Chinese), 1997, 42(19): 2093.
The Tangshan Archaeological Team,Locality of the Nanjing Man Fossils (in Chinese), Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House, 1996, 1–299.
Edwards, R. L., Chen, J. H., Wasserbur, G. I.,238 U-234U-230Th-232Th systematics and the precise measurement of time over the past 500,000 years,Earth and Planetary Scierlce Letters, 1987, 81(1986/87): 175.
Yu Jinbiao, Zhang Shaogan, Zhu Chenget al., A discussion on the living environment of Nanjing Homo Erectus,Carsologica Sinica (in Chinese), 1998, 17(1): 25.
Winograd, I. J., Coplen, T. B., Iandwehr, J. M.et al., Continuous 500,000-year climate record fmm vein calcite in Devils hole, Nevada,Science, 1992, 258: 255.
Liu Tinling, Mu Xinan, Xu Hankuiet al., On the climatic condition during the time of the Nanjing Ape-Man,Journal of Stratigraphy (in Chinese), 1998, 22(1): 60.
Liu Zechun, Paleoclimatic changes recorded in cave deposits of Beijing erectus, localities and their correlation to climatostratigraphy,Acta Anthropologica Sinica (in Chinese), 1983, 2(2): 172.
Xu Qinqin, Mu Xinan, Xu Hankuiet al., Discovery of Pleistocene mammalian fossils and its significance,Chinese Science Bulletin (in Chinese), 1993, 38(15): 1403.
Xu Qingin, Zhang Hong, Xu Hankui, Mammalian fossils of Baiyundong cave and Loc.1 at Tangshan in Nanjing,Vertebrata Palasiatica (in Chinese), 1997, 35(3): 217.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, Y., Hai, C., Luo, C. et al. TIMS U-series ages of speleothems from the Tangshan caves, Nanjing. Chin.Sci.Bull. 44, 1987–1991 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02887125
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02887125