Lithic technological strategies of Late Pleistocene hominins in the Daoshui River valley, Hunan province, central South China

The Late Pleistocene is a crucial period of dramatic changes in lithic technologies as well interactions between modern humans and other archaic human groups. In this paper, we describe the technological analysis assemblages collected from 28 newly discovered Paleolithic sites along Daoshui River, tributary Lishui River (itself Yangtze River) northern Hunan Province, central South China. Luminescence dating several region has provided general age range for assemblages. Technologically, high quality raw materials are predominantly exploited (e.g., chert siliceous slate) direct hard hammer percussion predominates which lacks classic Levallois technology though conceptually, some specimens do exhibit certain degree volumetric control share common features with prepared cores, here tentatively define them “simply cores.” Small flakes flake tool production plays primary role overall strategy, accompanying small proportion large Large Cutting Tools production. Our examination clearly contrasts traditional view China being characterized by simple cobble industry over course period. We further discuss issue Middle China, ecological adaptations hominins valley within climatic context.