Abstract: Skeletal remains of Homo erectus found in Pleistocene loess at two sites near Lantian in central China are of greatly different geologic age. The fossil-bearing strata at Gongwangling is about 1.15 myr old whereas the remains found at the Chengjiawo locality in middle Pleistocene loess are about 0.65 myr old. The datin is based on new paleomagnetic polarity determinations and on the lithostratigraphic position of the fossils in the loesspaleosol sequence. The buried conditions and the living environment of fossil Man at Gongwangling may indicate that an important geological event called the “Gongwangling” event was marked by the tectonic uplift of the Qingling mountains and a climatic deterioration that happened 1.15 myr ago.

Key words: Dates of Lantian Homo erectus; "Gongwangling event"