遺址位于湖北省(sheng)十堰市鄖西縣香口(kou)(kou)鄉黃(huang)(huang)云鋪村,是(shi)舊石(shi)器(qi)時代(dai)的(de)(de)古(gu)(gu)遺址。黃(huang)(huang)龍洞(dong)地(di)(di)(di)理坐(zuo)標(biao)為(wei)(wei) 110°13′04.3″E, 33°07′62.8″N, 海拔約601 m. 黃(huang)(huang)龍洞(dong)處(chu)于秦(qin)嶺東(dong)段南(nan)麓(lu)丘陵山地(di)(di)(di), 發(fa)(fa)育于古(gu)(gu)生(sheng)界(jie)寒武系中統岳家坪組的(de)(de)石(shi)灰巖(yan)(yan)地(di)(di)(di)層(ceng), 該組地(di)(di)(di)層(ceng)在黃(huang)(huang)龍洞(dong)附近表(biao)現(xian)為(wei)(wei)黑色中-薄層(ceng)層(ceng)狀泥質(zhi)灰巖(yan)(yan)和(he)含碳泥質(zhi)灰巖(yan)(yan). 該區在地(di)(di)(di)質(zhi)構造上屬南(nan)秦(qin)嶺-印(yin)支褶(zhe)皺帶東(dong)段, 地(di)(di)(di)貌以中、低山和(he)盆(pen)地(di)(di)(di)為(wei)(wei)主(zhu), 地(di)(di)(di)勢起(qi)伏(fu)變化大, 山坡(po)陡(dou)峻, 溝壑縱橫. 黃(huang)(huang)龍洞(dong)為(wei)(wei)大型管(guan)狀溶洞(dong), 洞(dong)穴(xue)(xue)平(ping)(ping)面主(zhu)軸近東(dong)北-西南(nan)向. 洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)原始寬(kuan)度約 27.8 m, 高約11 m. 現(xian)初(chu)步探明洞(dong)穴(xue)(xue)水平(ping)(ping)深(shen)度約400余米(未到盡(jin)頭), 寬(kuan)度11~117 m. 洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)朝向東(dong)北, 洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)前有發(fa)(fa)源于秦(qin)嶺的(de)(de)大水河(he)(漢江支流(liu)), 洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)高出河(he)水約7.8 m. 洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)前是(shi)順(shun)大水河(he)發(fa)(fa)育的(de)(de)狹長平(ping)(ping)川, 洞(dong)穴(xue)(xue)后是(shi)綿延的(de)(de)黃(huang)(huang)龍山(主(zhu)峰1277 m). 洞(dong)內原生(sheng)堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)深(shen)厚(hou), 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物頂部(bu)普遍發(fa)(fa)育鈣板(ban)層(ceng). 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物在洞(dong)口(kou)(kou)處(chu)位置較低, 向洞(dong)里逐漸(jian)抬升, 與洞(dong)穴(xue)(xue)頂部(bu)間距漸(jian)小. 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物結(jie)構簡單, 自(zi)然分層(ceng)較清楚, 自(zi)上而(er)下(xia)可劃(hua)分為(wei)(wei)5層(ceng)。
(1) 頂鈣板層: 乳(ru)白色或棕黃色, 大多結構(gou)致密、純凈(jing), 局部不(bu)純凈(jing)者結構(gou)疏松. 在洞內分布比較(jiao)普(pu)遍(bian), 厚約2~ 28 cm;
(2) 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)(nian)土(tu)-砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)層(ceng)(ceng): 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)(nian)土(tu)與砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)呈“同層(ceng)(ceng)異相”: 靠洞(dong)(dong)口(kou)的堆積為含(han)黏(nian)(nian)土(tu)基質(zhi)的砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)(li), 向洞(dong)(dong)內則(ze)砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)逐漸變(bian)(bian)少、礫(li)(li)(li)徑(jing)漸小, 在洞(dong)(dong)內深處轉變(bian)(bian)為粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)(nian)土(tu). 洞(dong)(dong)內地(di)勢(shi)較高(gao)處該(gai)層(ceng)(ceng)缺失. 無包含(han)物. 厚1~201 cm;
(3) 紅色(se)粉砂質黏土層: 層內(nei)間續(xu)發育2層薄鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban), 鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)呈局部、斷續(xu)發育, 棕(zong)黃色(se). 鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)層下方局部發育有孤立的石筍, 與鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)層無直(zhi)接(jie)(jie)連接(jie)(jie). 本(ben)層厚58~101 cm;
(4) 石灰巖風化(hua)物堆積層: 結構較松散, 主要為石灰巖風化(hua)角礫和(he)風化(hua)殘余(yu)黏土基質等. 無包含物, 厚41~66 cm;
(5) 棕紅色粉砂質(zhi)黏土, 結構較(jiao)緊(jin)密(mi), 無(wu)包含(han)物, 厚18~26 cm。
2013年5月 ,被國務院核定公(gong)布為(wei)第(di)七批(pi)全國重點文物(wu)保護單位。
黃龍洞出(chu)土動(dong)物化石1700余件, 經初步鑒定(ding)為(wei)11目50種(zhong).
(1)靈長目(mu)﹕碩獼(mi)猴、獼(mi)猴、灰葉猴 (2) 十(shi)足目(mu)﹕重(zhong)石束腹(fu)蟹 (3) 無尾目(mu)﹕蛙 (4) 食(shi)蟲目(mu)﹕微尾、刺(ci)猬 (5) 翼手(shou)目(mu)﹕普氏(shi)蹄(ti)蝠(fu)、大(da)馬蹄(ti)蝠(fu)、馬鐵菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)、皮氏(shi)菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)、大(da)耳菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)、印(yin)度假吸(xi)吸(xi)血蝠(fu)、鼠(shu)(shu)耳蝠(fu)、白腹(fu)管(guan)鼻(bi)蝠(fu) (6) 兔(tu)形(xing)目(mu):鼠(shu)(shu)兔(tu) (7) 嚙齒目(mu):苛南(nan)絨(rong)鼠(shu)(shu)、變(bian)異(yi)倉鼠(shu)(shu)、灰鼯鼠(shu)(shu)、紅白鼯鼠(shu)(shu)、赤(chi)腹(fu)松鼠(shu)(shu)、側紋巖松鼠(shu)(shu)、毛耳鼯鼠(shu)(shu)、華南(nan)豪豬、中華竹(zhu)鼠(shu)(shu) (8) 食(shi)肉目(mu)﹕云豹、最后鬣狗、豺(chai)、狼、豬獾、果子(zi)貍、大(da)熊(xiong)貓(mao)巴氏(shi)亞種、黑熊(xiong)、柯(ke)氏(shi)西藏熊(xiong)、華南(nan)虎、野貓(mao) (9) 長鼻(bi)目(mu)﹕東方劍(jian)齒象(10) 奇(qi)蹄(ti)目(mu)﹕中國犀、基氏(shi)貝爾格犀、華南(nan)巨(ju)貘(11) 偶蹄(ti)目(mu):野豬、香麝、赤(chi)麂(ji)、獐、水鹿(lu)、梅花鹿(lu)、青羊(yang)、羚(ling)羊(yang)、蘇門羚(ling)。
該(gai)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)包(bao)含一(yi)定數量的(de)(de)(de)更新(xin)世絕滅種(zhong)動(dong)(dong)物(wu), 如(ru)碩(shuo)獼猴、變(bian)異(yi)倉鼠、最后鬣(lie)狗、大(da)熊貓巴氏亞種(zhong)、柯氏西(xi)藏熊、東(dong)方劍(jian)齒(chi)象(xiang)、中(zhong)(zhong)國犀、華南(nan)巨貘等, 同時也(ye)有較多現生(sheng)種(zhong), 如(ru)云豹、豺(chai)、狼、豬獾、果子貍、野豬、水鹿(lu)、梅(mei)花鹿(lu)等。 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)組合(he)具備更新(xin)世中(zhong)(zhong)、晚期的(de)(de)(de)時代特(te)(te)點, 總(zong)體(ti)面貌(mao)表現出大(da)熊貓-劍(jian)齒(chi)象(xiang)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)特(te)(te)征. 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)生(sheng)態反映該(gai)遺址(zhi)是以(yi)熱(re)帶、亞熱(re)帶森(sen)林(lin)環(huan)境景觀為主, 如(ru)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)發現有低地密林(lin)、熱(re)帶雨林(lin)以(yi)樹棲生(sheng)活(huo)為主的(de)(de)(de)云豹、長(chang)綠(lv)闊葉林(lin)帶生(sheng)活(huo)的(de)(de)(de)毛耳鼯鼠、及數量較多的(de)(de)(de)菊頭蝠等. 菊頭蝠是典型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)森(sen)林(lin)性動(dong)(dong)物(wu), 并(bing)且只在(zai)大(da)片森(sen)林(lin)環(huan)境下適(shi)宜生(sheng)存, 因此又被動(dong)(dong)物(wu)學家稱(cheng)為森(sen)林(lin)環(huan)境的(de)(de)(de)標志. 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)也(ye)有具山地特(te)(te)征的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)和以(yi)秦(qin)嶺為分布中(zhong)(zhong)心的(de)(de)(de)區(qu)(qu)域性動(dong)(dong)物(wu), 前者如(ru)蘇門羚、青羊等. 后者如(ru)苛南(nan)絨鼠等. 黃龍(long)洞動(dong)(dong)物(wu)群(qun)反映出該(gai)遺址(zhi)處于秦(qin)嶺南(nan)麓的(de)(de)(de)自然區(qu)(qu)位特(te)(te)點, 并(bing)且還表示中(zhong)(zhong)國南(nan)北氣候分界線-秦(qin)嶺山區(qu)(qu)(高(gao)度)在(zai)黃龍(long)洞古(gu)遺址(zhi)時期已經具有規(gui)模。
發(fa)現(xian)(xian)(xian)的人(ren)(ren)類牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)化(hua)石(shi)(shi)共 5 枚, 分(fen)別(bie)為下(xia)頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)二或第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜(he)右側(ce)(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)二臼(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上(shang)頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)(ce)犬齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜(he)右側(ce)(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)一(yi)或第(di)(di)(di)二門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上(shang)頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi). 這些牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)呈(cheng)白色或黃褐色, 有一(yi)定(ding)程度的石(shi)(shi)化(hua). 除(chu)左(zuo)上(shang)頜(he)第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)冠咬(yao)合面磨(mo)耗(hao)較輕, 可能代(dai)表(biao)(biao)著(zhu)年(nian)輕個(ge)體(ti)外, 其余4枚牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)磨(mo)耗(hao)均(jun)較嚴(yan)重, 屬于壯年(nian)以上(shang)的個(ge)體(ti). 初步觀察顯示下(xia)頜(he)門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)舌(she)側(ce)(ce)(ce)面呈(cheng)明顯的鏟形(xing), 但無常(chang)見(jian)于直(zhi)立人(ren)(ren)的齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)結節(jie)和指狀突. 與(yu)迄今在中國(guo)境內發(fa)現(xian)(xian)(xian)的古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)測量數據對比, 黃龍洞牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸比以周口店為代(dai)表(biao)(biao)的直(zhi)立人(ren)(ren)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)要(yao)小, 處在晚(wan)期(qi)智人(ren)(ren)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸變異(yi)范(fan)圍之內. 結合洞穴時代(dai)、動(dong)物群(qun)及(ji)年(nian)代(dai)測試結果綜合分(fen)析, 在黃龍洞發(fa)現(xian)(xian)(xian)的人(ren)(ren)類牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)代(dai)表(biao)(biao)著(zhu)晚(wan)期(qi)智人(ren)(ren),建議簡稱“鄖西(xi)人(ren)(ren)”。
試掘(jue)共發(fa)現(xian)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)和(he)使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)及其副產(chan)(chan)品22件(jian). 這些人(ren)(ren)工(gong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)品多(duo)為(wei)(wei)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質(zhi)工(gong)具所產(chan)(chan)生的(de)(de)(de)斷塊和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian). 經加(jia)工(gong)成型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)包括刮削器(qi)、砍(kan)(kan)砸器(qi)、手鎬和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐. 刮削器(qi)共5件(jian), 是(shi)數量(liang)多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)器(qi)類, 原(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)料選用(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英和(he)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi), 系將(jiang)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)薄(bo)(bo)銳的(de)(de)(de)邊緣(yuan)(yuan)用(yong)(yong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘(chui)打制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)出(chu)(chu)鋒利的(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)口, 以(yi)供(gong)刮削、切割(ge)之用(yong)(yong). 手鎬3件(jian), 原(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)料為(wei)(wei)質(zhi)地較粗的(de)(de)(de)粉砂巖、火山(shan)巖和(he)變(bian)(bian)質(zhi)巖, 原(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)坯為(wei)(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)塊, 系將(jiang)一端打制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)出(chu)(chu)突(tu)起而(er)(er)厚鈍(dun)的(de)(de)(de)尖刃(ren), 以(yi)利挖掘(jue). 其中2件(jian)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)精良、規范, 在尖部從卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)原(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)有(you)的(de)(de)(de)弧面上向一面加(jia)工(gong)成可供(gong)使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)尖刃(ren), 相對一端則敲(qiao)(qiao)打變(bian)(bian)鈍(dun), 適(shi)宜抓握(wo), 持握(wo)手中舒適(shi)而(er)(er)適(shi)用(yong)(yong). 石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐只有(you)1件(jian), 用(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成, 加(jia)工(gong)出(chu)(chu)的(de)(de)(de)兩條薄(bo)(bo)銳的(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)緣(yuan)(yuan)交匯成龜(gui)首狀的(de)(de)(de)短而(er)(er)鈍(dun)的(de)(de)(de)尖刃(ren). 1件(jian)砍(kan)(kan)砸器(qi)系用(yong)(yong)碧玉(yu)裂片(pian)(pian)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成, 在多(duo)個邊緣(yuan)(yuan)有(you)加(jia)工(gong)和(he)使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)痕跡, 修(xiu)整隨意、粗糙. 此外, 1件(jian)原(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)型(xing)為(wei)(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘(chui)上出(chu)(chu)現(xian)一個集中分布細(xi)碎疤(ba)痕的(de)(de)(de)凹陷區域, 顯系砸擊生產(chan)(chan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)和(he)敲(qiao)(qiao)砸堅果所致; 幾(ji)件(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)和(he)斷塊上有(you)不規律(lv)的(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)痕, 應(ying)是(shi)未經加(jia)工(gong)而(er)(er)偶爾被作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)(wei)工(gong)具使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)結果。
目(mu)前該遺(yi)址出(chu)土的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)工(gong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品還很少, 因而難窺古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)技術(shu)全貌(mao). 從有(you)限的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)材料來看, 古(gu)人(ren)(ren)在(zai)此采(cai)(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong)了兩種技術(shu)剝離(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)、生(sheng)產(chan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi), 即錘擊法(fa)和砸擊法(fa). 前者在(zai)中(zhong)國舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)時代被廣泛采(cai)(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong), 而后者多(duo)出(chu)現(xian)在(zai)北(bei)方的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)遺(yi)址中(zhong). 該地點(dian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)加工(gong)多(duo)簡單、粗(cu)糙(cao), 采(cai)(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong)礫(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)作原(yuan)料者占較大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)比(bi)例, 一些石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品粗(cu)大, 顯示(shi)(shi)南方礫(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制品的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鮮明(ming)(ming)特(te)點(dian); 但加工(gong)成型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)多(duo)為(wei)個體較小、以石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)作毛坯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)刮(gua)削器(qi)(qi), 加之砸擊技術(shu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)采(cai)(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong), 使該遺(yi)址的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)文化面貌(mao)又兼有(you)中(zhong)國北(bei)方的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)文化風格, 顯示(shi)(shi)一種交融、過(guo)渡的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)屬性. 石(shi)(shi)(shi)錘、石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)、斷塊的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)存在(zai)表明(ming)(ming)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)類在(zai)遺(yi)址中(zhong)從事(shi)過(guo)制作石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動(dong), 而部(bu)分伴生(sheng)動(dong)物(wu)化石(shi)(shi)(shi)上出(chu)現(xian)鋒(feng)利的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)刃口切(qie)割留下的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)條痕, 說(shuo)明(ming)(ming)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)曾在(zai)洞(dong)中(zhong)使用(yong)(yong)(yong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi), 消(xiao)費(fei)過(guo)動(dong)物(wu)食(shi)物(wu)資源(yuan), 進而證明(ming)(ming)黃龍洞(dong)是(shi)一處史前人(ren)(ren)類生(sheng)產(chan)、生(sheng)活(huo)和消(xiao)費(fei)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)場(chang)所, 即所謂洞(dong)穴之家。
宋人樂史在其地(di)理名(ming)著《太(tai)平寰宇記(ji)·山南西道·商州·上(shang)津(jin)縣載(zai):“千人穴在縣東(dong)七十里,穴口高闊三丈,深二百步,可容(rong)千人,中有(you)石暗凝若乳,味甘治疾,常有(you)石燕、鳥群,飛出入其中。”這是目前(qian)已知古籍中最早記(ji)載(zai)黃(huang)龍(long)洞的。明代(dai)《鄖臺志》載(zai):“黃(huang)龍(long)山,山下有(you)洞,禱雨(yu)多應”。
2004年(nian)(nian)5月, 在(zai)為配合高(gao)速公路(lu)建設進行(xing)的文(wen)物(wu)調查(cha)中(zhong), 本文(wen)第(di)一作者在(zai)湖北省鄖西(xi)縣(xian)黃龍洞(dong)發現(xian)了(le)哺乳動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)石(shi). 在(zai)6~8月和(he)(he)11~12月兩(liang)次試掘(jue)(jue)中(zhong), 共有(you)5枚人(ren)類牙齒化(hua)石(shi)、20余件石(shi)制品和(he)(he)大(da)量動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)石(shi)被發掘(jue)(jue)出土. 初步動(dong)物(wu)群分析、石(shi)制品研究和(he)(he)年(nian)(nian)代(dai)測定顯示這是一處更新(xin)世晚期古人(ren)類遺址, 對研究中(zhong)國及東亞地區更新(xin)世晚期人(ren)類演化(hua)和(he)(he)現(xian)代(dai)智人(ren)起源具有(you)非常重要的價值。