Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall
Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)·Upper Palaeolithic·🇨🇳 Henan, Luoyang, China
About
About Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall
Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall in Henan, Luoyang, China is a Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP) cave attributed to Upper Palaeolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.5550N 112.4710E controls access to Henan resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey cave for Henan, Luoyang, illustrating Upper Palaeolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 25000–15000 BP
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)
- Culture
- Upper Palaeolithic
- Purpose
- Seasonal habitation, rock art sanctuary and burial site
- Rediscovered
- 1995 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 25000–15000 BP
Initial construction of Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall main structure
c. 1535 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1995–2010
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5550° N · 112.4710° E · 355 m · 3 mapped features
Longmen Guyang Cave North Wall — Main Structure
structurePrincipal cave — Shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high with diagnostic masonry/panel
34.5558° N · 112.4719° ELongmen Guyang Cave North Wall — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
34.5540° N · 112.4703° ELongmen Guyang Cave North Wall — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
34.5565° N · 112.4722° E