China is a county synonymous with architectural wonders. With one of the Seven Wonders of the World being the Great Wall of China it is not surprising that the Chinese had attained a very high level in the architectural realm. But China’s science was also highly developed. There were archeological excavations being carried out as early as the 1920. On one such excavation the shocking discovery of human teeth was made in 1921. The excavations continued through 1923 and 1927 and it was proven that the bones belonged to a species of man not found before and that these men were living in these parts of the world in the Paleolithic age. The site where this excavation and the subsequent discovery of the human bones took place is called the Peiking Man Site. It is 50 kilometers from Beijing and the village goes by the name of Zhoukoudian. So important is the work going on at Zhoukoudian that in December 1987 it was acknowledged by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The excavations at Zhoukoudian lead to the discovery of a species of human race that were in form identical to the man of today. But the skull was different. When the first skull was excavated study revealed that the forehead was lower than the average forehead of today’s times. Also the jaw line and bone were both much stronger and the eyebrows were jutting out. The teeth were bigger and the canines did not overlap like those of the apes. The cavity of the skull that houses the brain was 20 percent smaller than the average human today, proving that the brain of the pre historic man was smaller. This discovery of the human race came to be called the Sinanthropus pekinensis and in layman terms it was known as the Peking Man.  Other excavation finds proved that not only did the Peking man have a different skull but was somewhat shorter than the average person of today. This prehistoric man had an average height of 156 cm and the women were 144 cms tall. Sadly the mortality rate was very high and no more than 4.5 percent people reached the age of 50. The people of that age had discovered fire though and used it to not only cook their meals but also for light, warmth and even protection from animals. There were tools made from animal bones and stones which also suggest a developed culture. A bit ahead of the Peking Man site there were three skulls found and along with them was a necklace made of bones. This cave man it is presumed had developed the ability to dress himself as well as accessorize his attire.

During Japans invasion of china, the digging work was stopped in need of more urgent requirements by the country. During the war the bones that had been dug out simply went missing and there was serious doubt that they were shipped to America. But once the Chinese people declared their county a republic nation the excavation work was resumed. Over the years much has been dug up which has formed the basis for many studies and discoveries about the man of that age.

One can visit the site today and see for them selves where the parts were dug up from and how even now the process of gathering information is being carried on. Truly an experience not to be missed.

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