Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2010, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (02): 214-226.

Previous Articles    

Artiodactyla associated with Gigantopithecus from Baeryan, Bijie, Guizhou Province

DONG Wei; ZHAO Ling-xia; WANG Xin-jin; CAI Hui-yang; ZHENG Yuan-wen; ZHANG Zhong-wen   

  • Online:2010-06-15 Published:2010-06-15

Abstract: A series of excavations on the fissure deposits at Baeryan (27°22′12′′N,105°15′16′′ E),Bijie Municipality, Guizhou Province, have been carried out since 2001. Some Gigantopithecus teeth and many mammalian fossils were uncovered. The bottom of deposits measures 1630 m above sea level, or 40 m above nearby river surface. The Artiodactyla uncovered from the deposits are as follow: “Dicoryphochoerus ” ultimus, Muntiacus sp. , Cervavitus? fenqii, Cervus ( R. ) cf. C. ( R. ) unicolor, Budorcas sp. , Caprinae gen. et sp. indet. , Gazella sp. , Leptobos (Smertiobos) sp. The artiodactyls from Bijie have five same taxa as those from Gigantopithecus Cave of Liucheng and Longgudong of Jianshi, three or less as those from Longgupo of Wushan, Danawu of Yuanmou and Renzidong of Fanchang. It implies its age should be between that of the Gigantopithecus Cave and Longgudong and, likely, the early stage of the early Pleistocene. Based on the habitats and nature of artiodactyls, the identified taxa from Bijie imply an eco-environment with both jungles and open grass lands (slopes), enchased with some forests and water areas and in a subtropical-temperate climate, very favorable for inhabitation of higher primates as Gigantopithecus.

Key words: Bijie; Guizhou; Fissure-cave deposits; Early Pleistocene; Gigantopithecus fauna; Artiodactyla