遺址位(wei)于(yu)湖北省十堰市鄖(yun)西(xi)縣香口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)鄉黃云鋪(pu)村(cun),是(shi)舊石(shi)器時代的古遺址。黃龍洞地(di)(di)(di)理坐標(biao)為(wei) 110°13′04.3″E, 33°07′62.8″N, 海拔約(yue)601 m. 黃龍洞處于(yu)秦嶺東(dong)段(duan)南(nan)麓(lu)丘陵山地(di)(di)(di), 發育(yu)(yu)于(yu)古生(sheng)界寒武系中(zhong)(zhong)統(tong)岳(yue)家坪組(zu)的石(shi)灰(hui)巖(yan)地(di)(di)(di)層(ceng), 該(gai)組(zu)地(di)(di)(di)層(ceng)在(zai)(zai)黃龍洞附近表現為(wei)黑(hei)色(se)中(zhong)(zhong)-薄(bo)層(ceng)層(ceng)狀(zhuang)泥質灰(hui)巖(yan)和含碳泥質灰(hui)巖(yan). 該(gai)區在(zai)(zai)地(di)(di)(di)質構(gou)造上(shang)屬(shu)南(nan)秦嶺-印(yin)支(zhi)(zhi)褶皺(zhou)帶東(dong)段(duan), 地(di)(di)(di)貌以中(zhong)(zhong)、低(di)山和盆地(di)(di)(di)為(wei)主(zhu)(zhu), 地(di)(di)(di)勢(shi)起伏變(bian)化大(da), 山坡陡峻(jun), 溝壑縱橫. 黃龍洞為(wei)大(da)型(xing)管狀(zhuang)溶洞, 洞穴平(ping)面主(zhu)(zhu)軸(zhou)近東(dong)北-西(xi)南(nan)向. 洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)原始寬(kuan)度約(yue) 27.8 m, 高(gao)約(yue)11 m. 現初步探明洞穴水平(ping)深度約(yue)400余米(未(wei)到(dao)盡頭), 寬(kuan)度11~117 m. 洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)朝向東(dong)北, 洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)前有(you)發源(yuan)于(yu)秦嶺的大(da)水河(he)(漢江支(zhi)(zhi)流), 洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)高(gao)出河(he)水約(yue)7.8 m. 洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)前是(shi)順大(da)水河(he)發育(yu)(yu)的狹長平(ping)川, 洞穴后是(shi)綿延的黃龍山(主(zhu)(zhu)峰1277 m). 洞內原生(sheng)堆(dui)(dui)積深厚, 堆(dui)(dui)積物(wu)(wu)頂部(bu)普遍發育(yu)(yu)鈣板(ban)層(ceng). 堆(dui)(dui)積物(wu)(wu)在(zai)(zai)洞口(kou)(kou)(kou)(kou)處位(wei)置較低(di), 向洞里逐漸抬升, 與洞穴頂部(bu)間距漸小. 堆(dui)(dui)積物(wu)(wu)結構(gou)簡單, 自然分層(ceng)較清(qing)楚, 自上(shang)而下可(ke)劃分為(wei)5層(ceng)。
(1) 頂鈣板(ban)層: 乳白色(se)或棕黃色(se), 大多結構致密、純(chun)凈, 局(ju)部不純(chun)凈者結構疏松. 在(zai)洞內分布比較普(pu)遍, 厚約2~ 28 cm;
(2) 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)黏土-砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)層: 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)黏土與砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)呈“同層異相(xiang)”: 靠洞(dong)口(kou)的堆積為(wei)含黏土基(ji)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)的砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li), 向洞(dong)內則砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)(li)逐漸變(bian)(bian)少、礫(li)(li)徑(jing)漸小, 在洞(dong)內深(shen)處轉變(bian)(bian)為(wei)粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)黏土. 洞(dong)內地(di)勢較高處該層缺(que)失. 無(wu)包含物. 厚(hou)1~201 cm;
(3) 紅色(se)粉砂質黏土層(ceng): 層(ceng)內(nei)間(jian)續發(fa)(fa)育(yu)2層(ceng)薄鈣板(ban), 鈣板(ban)呈局部、斷續發(fa)(fa)育(yu), 棕黃色(se). 鈣板(ban)層(ceng)下(xia)方局部發(fa)(fa)育(yu)有(you)孤立的石筍, 與鈣板(ban)層(ceng)無直(zhi)接(jie)連接(jie). 本(ben)層(ceng)厚58~101 cm;
(4) 石灰巖風化物(wu)堆積層: 結(jie)構(gou)較松散(san), 主要為石灰巖風化角礫和(he)風化殘余黏(nian)土(tu)基質等. 無(wu)包含物(wu), 厚(hou)41~66 cm;
(5) 棕紅色(se)粉砂質黏土, 結構較緊(jin)密, 無包含物(wu), 厚18~26 cm。
2013年5月 ,被國(guo)務(wu)院核定公布為第(di)七批全國(guo)重(zhong)點文(wen)物(wu)保護單位(wei)。
黃龍洞出(chu)土動物化石(shi)1700余件, 經初步鑒定為11目50種.
(1)靈長目(mu)﹕碩獼猴(hou)、獼猴(hou)、灰葉猴(hou) (2) 十足目(mu)﹕重(zhong)石束腹蟹 (3) 無(wu)尾(wei)(wei)目(mu)﹕蛙(wa) (4) 食(shi)蟲目(mu)﹕微尾(wei)(wei)、刺猬 (5) 翼手目(mu)﹕普氏蹄蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、大馬蹄蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、馬鐵(tie)菊(ju)頭(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、皮(pi)氏菊(ju)頭(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、大耳(er)菊(ju)頭(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、印度假吸吸血蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)耳(er)蝠(fu)(fu)(fu)、白(bai)腹管鼻蝠(fu)(fu)(fu) (6) 兔形目(mu):鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)兔 (7) 嚙齒(chi)目(mu):苛(ke)南(nan)絨鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、變異倉鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、灰鼯(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、紅(hong)白(bai)鼯(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、赤腹松鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、側(ce)紋巖松鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、毛(mao)耳(er)鼯(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)、華南(nan)豪豬、中華竹鼠(shu)(shu)(shu) (8) 食(shi)肉目(mu)﹕云豹、最后鬣狗、豺、狼(lang)、豬獾、果子貍、大熊貓(mao)巴氏亞種(zhong)、黑熊、柯氏西藏熊、華南(nan)虎、野貓(mao) (9) 長鼻目(mu)﹕東方劍齒(chi)象(10) 奇蹄目(mu)﹕中國犀、基氏貝爾格(ge)犀、華南(nan)巨(ju)貘(mo)(11) 偶蹄目(mu):野豬、香麝、赤麂、獐、水(shui)鹿(lu)、梅花(hua)鹿(lu)、青(qing)羊(yang)、羚(ling)羊(yang)、蘇門(men)羚(ling)。
該(gai)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)包含一定數量(liang)的(de)(de)(de)更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世絕滅種(zhong)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu), 如碩獼猴、變異倉鼠(shu)、最后(hou)鬣(lie)狗、大(da)熊(xiong)貓(mao)巴氏亞種(zhong)、柯氏西藏熊(xiong)、東方劍齒(chi)象、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國犀、華南(nan)巨(ju)貘等(deng), 同時也有(you)較多現(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)種(zhong), 如云(yun)豹、豺、狼、豬(zhu)獾(huan)、果子貍(li)、野(ye)豬(zhu)、水鹿、梅(mei)花鹿等(deng)。 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)組合具備更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、晚期(qi)的(de)(de)(de)時代特點(dian), 總體面(mian)貌表(biao)現(xian)出大(da)熊(xiong)貓(mao)-劍齒(chi)象動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)特征. 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)態反(fan)映該(gai)遺址(zhi)(zhi)是(shi)(shi)以熱帶(dai)(dai)、亞熱帶(dai)(dai)森林(lin)環(huan)境(jing)景(jing)觀為主, 如動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)發現(xian)有(you)低地(di)密林(lin)、熱帶(dai)(dai)雨(yu)林(lin)以樹棲生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)活為主的(de)(de)(de)云(yun)豹、長綠闊葉林(lin)帶(dai)(dai)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)活的(de)(de)(de)毛耳鼯(wu)鼠(shu)、及數量(liang)較多的(de)(de)(de)菊頭蝠等(deng). 菊頭蝠是(shi)(shi)典(dian)型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)森林(lin)性(xing)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu), 并且只在大(da)片森林(lin)環(huan)境(jing)下適宜(yi)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)存, 因(yin)此(ci)又被動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)學(xue)家稱為森林(lin)環(huan)境(jing)的(de)(de)(de)標志. 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)也有(you)具山(shan)地(di)特征的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)和(he)以秦(qin)嶺為分布中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)心的(de)(de)(de)區域性(xing)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu), 前(qian)者如蘇門羚、青羊等(deng). 后(hou)者如苛南(nan)絨鼠(shu)等(deng). 黃龍洞動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)(qun)反(fan)映出該(gai)遺址(zhi)(zhi)處于秦(qin)嶺南(nan)麓的(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然(ran)區位特點(dian), 并且還表(biao)示中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國南(nan)北(bei)氣候分界線-秦(qin)嶺山(shan)區(高度)在黃龍洞古(gu)遺址(zhi)(zhi)時期(qi)已經具有(you)規(gui)模。
發現的(de)人(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)化(hua)石(shi)共 5 枚(mei), 分別為下頜(he)左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)(ce)第(di)二或(huo)第(di)三臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下頜(he)右側(ce)(ce)第(di)二臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜(he)左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)(ce)犬齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下頜(he)右側(ce)(ce)第(di)一或(huo)第(di)二門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜(he)左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)(ce)第(di)三臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi). 這些(xie)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)呈(cheng)白色(se)或(huo)黃(huang)褐色(se), 有一定(ding)程度的(de)石(shi)化(hua). 除左(zuo)(zuo)上頜(he)第(di)三臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)冠咬合面(mian)磨耗較輕, 可能代表(biao)著年(nian)輕個體外, 其余4枚(mei)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)磨耗均較嚴(yan)重, 屬于壯年(nian)以上的(de)個體. 初步觀察顯示下頜(he)門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)舌側(ce)(ce)面(mian)呈(cheng)明顯的(de)鏟形, 但無常見于直(zhi)立人(ren)(ren)的(de)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)結(jie)節和指狀突. 與迄(qi)今在(zai)中國境內發現的(de)古人(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)測(ce)量數據對(dui)比, 黃(huang)龍洞(dong)(dong)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸比以周口店(dian)為代表(biao)的(de)直(zhi)立人(ren)(ren)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)要小, 處(chu)在(zai)晚期(qi)智人(ren)(ren)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸變異范圍(wei)之(zhi)內. 結(jie)合洞(dong)(dong)穴時代、動物(wu)群及年(nian)代測(ce)試結(jie)果綜(zong)合分析, 在(zai)黃(huang)龍洞(dong)(dong)發現的(de)人(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)代表(biao)著晚期(qi)智人(ren)(ren),建議簡稱“鄖西人(ren)(ren)”。
試掘(jue)共發現古人類(lei)制(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)和使(shi)(shi)(shi)用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)及其副(fu)產品22件(jian). 這些人工(gong)(gong)石(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品多(duo)為(wei)(wei)古人類(lei)制(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)石(shi)(shi)質(zhi)工(gong)(gong)具所(suo)產生(sheng)(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)斷(duan)塊(kuai)(kuai)和石(shi)(shi)片. 經加(jia)工(gong)(gong)成(cheng)型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)包括刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)、砍砸器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)、手(shou)鎬和石(shi)(shi)錐. 刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)共5件(jian), 是(shi)數量多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)類(lei), 原料選用(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)英和燧石(shi)(shi), 系將石(shi)(shi)片薄銳的(de)(de)(de)邊(bian)緣(yuan)用(yong)(yong)石(shi)(shi)錘打制(zhi)(zhi)出(chu)鋒(feng)利(li)的(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)口, 以供刮削、切割(ge)之用(yong)(yong). 手(shou)鎬3件(jian), 原料為(wei)(wei)質(zhi)地(di)較粗的(de)(de)(de)粉(fen)砂巖(yan)、火(huo)山巖(yan)和變(bian)質(zhi)巖(yan), 原坯為(wei)(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)塊(kuai)(kuai), 系將一(yi)端(duan)打制(zhi)(zhi)出(chu)突起(qi)而厚(hou)鈍的(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃(ren), 以利(li)挖掘(jue). 其中(zhong)2件(jian)制(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)精良、規(gui)范, 在尖(jian)部從卵石(shi)(shi)原有的(de)(de)(de)弧面(mian)上向一(yi)面(mian)加(jia)工(gong)(gong)成(cheng)可(ke)供使(shi)(shi)(shi)用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃(ren), 相對一(yi)端(duan)則敲(qiao)(qiao)打變(bian)鈍, 適(shi)宜(yi)抓握, 持握手(shou)中(zhong)舒適(shi)而適(shi)用(yong)(yong). 石(shi)(shi)錐只有1件(jian), 用(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)英石(shi)(shi)片制(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng), 加(jia)工(gong)(gong)出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)兩條薄銳的(de)(de)(de)刃(ren)緣(yuan)交匯成(cheng)龜首狀的(de)(de)(de)短(duan)而鈍的(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃(ren). 1件(jian)砍砸器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)系用(yong)(yong)碧玉裂(lie)片制(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng), 在多(duo)個邊(bian)緣(yuan)有加(jia)工(gong)(gong)和使(shi)(shi)(shi)用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)痕(hen)跡, 修(xiu)整隨意、粗糙. 此外, 1件(jian)原型(xing)為(wei)(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)錘上出(chu)現一(yi)個集中(zhong)分布(bu)細碎(sui)疤痕(hen)的(de)(de)(de)凹陷區(qu)域, 顯系砸擊生(sheng)(sheng)產石(shi)(shi)片和敲(qiao)(qiao)砸堅果(guo)所(suo)致; 幾件(jian)石(shi)(shi)片和斷(duan)塊(kuai)(kuai)上有不規(gui)律的(de)(de)(de)疤痕(hen), 應(ying)是(shi)未經加(jia)工(gong)(gong)而偶爾(er)被(bei)作(zuo)為(wei)(wei)工(gong)(gong)具使(shi)(shi)(shi)用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)結(jie)果(guo)。
目前該遺址出(chu)(chu)土的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)工石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品還(huan)很少(shao), 因而難窺(kui)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)技(ji)(ji)術(shu)全(quan)貌. 從有(you)限(xian)的(de)(de)(de)材料來看, 古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)在此采用了兩種技(ji)(ji)術(shu)剝離石(shi)(shi)(shi)片、生(sheng)產石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi), 即錘擊法(fa)和(he)砸(za)擊法(fa). 前者在中(zhong)國舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)時代被廣泛采用, 而后(hou)者多出(chu)(chu)現在北(bei)方的(de)(de)(de)遺址中(zhong). 該地點石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)加工多簡(jian)單、粗(cu)糙, 采用礫(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)作原料者占較大(da)的(de)(de)(de)比例(li), 一些石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品粗(cu)大(da), 顯(xian)(xian)示南方礫(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品的(de)(de)(de)鮮明(ming)(ming)(ming)特點; 但加工成型的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)多為個體較小、以石(shi)(shi)(shi)片作毛坯(pi)的(de)(de)(de)刮削器(qi), 加之砸(za)擊技(ji)(ji)術(shu)的(de)(de)(de)采用, 使(shi)(shi)該遺址的(de)(de)(de)文化(hua)面貌又兼有(you)中(zhong)國北(bei)方的(de)(de)(de)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)文化(hua)風格(ge), 顯(xian)(xian)示一種交(jiao)融、過渡的(de)(de)(de)屬性. 石(shi)(shi)(shi)錘、石(shi)(shi)(shi)片、斷塊的(de)(de)(de)存在表明(ming)(ming)(ming)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類在遺址中(zhong)從事過制(zhi)(zhi)作石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)的(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動, 而部(bu)分伴生(sheng)動物化(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)上(shang)出(chu)(chu)現鋒利的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)刃口切割留下的(de)(de)(de)條痕, 說(shuo)明(ming)(ming)(ming)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)曾在洞中(zhong)使(shi)(shi)用石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi), 消(xiao)費過動物食物資源, 進而證明(ming)(ming)(ming)黃龍洞是(shi)一處史前人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類生(sheng)產、生(sheng)活(huo)和(he)消(xiao)費的(de)(de)(de)場所(suo), 即所(suo)謂(wei)洞穴(xue)之家。
宋人(ren)樂(le)史在(zai)其地理名著《太平寰(huan)宇記·山南西道·商(shang)州(zhou)·上津(jin)縣載(zai):“千人(ren)穴在(zai)縣東(dong)七(qi)十(shi)里,穴口高闊(kuo)三丈,深二(er)百步,可容千人(ren),中有(you)石(shi)暗凝若乳,味甘治疾,常有(you)石(shi)燕(yan)、鳥群,飛出入其中。”這(zhe)是目前已知(zhi)古籍中最早記載(zai)黃龍洞的。明代《鄖臺(tai)志》載(zai):“黃龍山,山下(xia)有(you)洞,禱雨多應”。
2004年(nian)5月, 在(zai)為配合高速公路建設進(jin)行的文(wen)物(wu)調查(cha)中, 本(ben)文(wen)第一作者在(zai)湖北省鄖西縣黃龍洞發(fa)現了哺乳動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi). 在(zai)6~8月和11~12月兩(liang)次試掘中, 共(gong)有5枚人(ren)類(lei)牙齒化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)、20余件石(shi)(shi)制品和大量動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)被發(fa)掘出土. 初步動(dong)物(wu)群(qun)分析、石(shi)(shi)制品研究(jiu)和年(nian)代(dai)測定顯示這(zhe)是一處(chu)更新(xin)世晚期古人(ren)類(lei)遺址, 對研究(jiu)中國及東(dong)亞地區更新(xin)世晚期人(ren)類(lei)演化(hua)(hua)和現代(dai)智(zhi)人(ren)起源(yuan)具有非常重要的價(jia)值。