Xianren Cave, Archaeological site in Wannian County, China
Xianren Cave is an archaeological site in Wannian County located within a limestone formation in Dayuan Township. The cave measures 7 meters in height, 11 meters in width, and extends 14 meters deep into the rock face.
Scientists discovered pottery fragments dating between 20,000 and 19,000 years ago, establishing this cave as the source of the earliest known pottery worldwide. The site received designation as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 2001.
The name Xianren translates to Cave of the Immortals, referencing mythological enlightened beings from traditional Chinese stories. This connection to folklore shows how ancient legends became attached to prehistoric sites discovered much later.
The site remains under active archaeological excavation by research teams. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited due to ongoing research activities and protective measures for the findings.
The pottery fragments found in the cave display scorch marks indicating their use for cooking by nomadic foragers during the Last Glacial Maximum. These marks document the earliest known use of ceramics for food preparation in human history.
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