遺址位于(yu)湖(hu)北(bei)省(sheng)十堰(yan)市鄖西縣香口(kou)鄉黃(huang)云鋪村,是(shi)舊石器時代的(de)(de)(de)古遺址。黃(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)地理坐標(biao)為(wei) 110°13′04.3″E, 33°07′62.8″N, 海拔約601 m. 黃(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)處于(yu)秦(qin)(qin)嶺東(dong)(dong)(dong)段南(nan)麓丘陵(ling)山(shan)地, 發育(yu)于(yu)古生界寒武系中(zhong)統岳家坪(ping)組的(de)(de)(de)石灰巖地層(ceng)(ceng), 該組地層(ceng)(ceng)在(zai)黃(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)附(fu)近表(biao)現(xian)為(wei)黑色中(zhong)-薄層(ceng)(ceng)層(ceng)(ceng)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)泥質灰巖和(he)含碳泥質灰巖. 該區在(zai)地質構造上(shang)屬南(nan)秦(qin)(qin)嶺-印支(zhi)褶皺(zhou)帶東(dong)(dong)(dong)段, 地貌以中(zhong)、低山(shan)和(he)盆地為(wei)主(zhu), 地勢起伏變化大(da), 山(shan)坡陡峻, 溝壑縱橫. 黃(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)為(wei)大(da)型管狀(zhuang)(zhuang)溶洞(dong)(dong)(dong), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)平面主(zhu)軸近東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)-西南(nan)向. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)原(yuan)始寬度約 27.8 m, 高約11 m. 現(xian)初步(bu)探明洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)水(shui)平深度約400余米(未到盡頭), 寬度11~117 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)朝向東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)前(qian)有發源于(yu)秦(qin)(qin)嶺的(de)(de)(de)大(da)水(shui)河(漢江支(zhi)流(liu)), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)高出河水(shui)約7.8 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)前(qian)是(shi)順大(da)水(shui)河發育(yu)的(de)(de)(de)狹長平川, 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)后是(shi)綿延的(de)(de)(de)黃(huang)龍(long)山(shan)(主(zhu)峰1277 m). 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)內原(yuan)生堆(dui)積深厚(hou), 堆(dui)積物頂部(bu)普遍(bian)發育(yu)鈣板層(ceng)(ceng). 堆(dui)積物在(zai)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)處位置較(jiao)低, 向洞(dong)(dong)(dong)里逐漸抬升(sheng), 與洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)頂部(bu)間(jian)距漸小. 堆(dui)積物結構簡單, 自然分(fen)(fen)層(ceng)(ceng)較(jiao)清(qing)楚, 自上(shang)而下可劃分(fen)(fen)為(wei)5層(ceng)(ceng)。
(1) 頂鈣板層: 乳白色或棕黃色, 大多結構(gou)致(zhi)密、純凈(jing), 局部不純凈(jing)者(zhe)結構(gou)疏(shu)松. 在(zai)洞內分布比較(jiao)普遍, 厚約2~ 28 cm;
(2) 粉(fen)砂(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)土-砂(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)層: 粉(fen)砂(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)土與砂(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)呈“同層異相”: 靠洞(dong)(dong)口的(de)堆(dui)積為含黏(nian)土基(ji)質(zhi)的(de)砂(sha)礫(li)(li)(li), 向洞(dong)(dong)內(nei)則砂(sha)礫(li)(li)(li)逐漸變(bian)少(shao)、礫(li)(li)(li)徑漸小, 在洞(dong)(dong)內(nei)深處轉變(bian)為粉(fen)砂(sha)質(zhi)黏(nian)土. 洞(dong)(dong)內(nei)地勢(shi)較高處該層缺失. 無(wu)包含物. 厚1~201 cm;
(3) 紅色粉砂質(zhi)黏土層: 層內間續發育2層薄鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban), 鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)呈局(ju)(ju)部、斷續發育, 棕黃(huang)色. 鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)層下方局(ju)(ju)部發育有孤立的石(shi)筍, 與鈣(gai)板(ban)(ban)層無(wu)直接連接. 本層厚58~101 cm;
(4) 石灰巖風(feng)化物堆積層: 結構較松散, 主(zhu)要為(wei)石灰巖風(feng)化角礫(li)和(he)風(feng)化殘余黏土基質等. 無包含物, 厚41~66 cm;
(5) 棕紅(hong)色粉砂質(zhi)黏土(tu), 結構較緊密(mi), 無包含物(wu), 厚18~26 cm。
2013年5月 ,被國(guo)務(wu)院核定公布為第七批全國(guo)重點文物保護(hu)單位(wei)。
黃(huang)龍洞(dong)出(chu)土動物化(hua)石1700余件, 經初步鑒(jian)定為11目50種(zhong).
(1)靈長目(mu)(mu)﹕碩獼猴(hou)、獼猴(hou)、灰(hui)葉猴(hou) (2) 十足目(mu)(mu)﹕重石束(shu)腹蟹(xie) (3) 無(wu)尾(wei)目(mu)(mu)﹕蛙 (4) 食(shi)蟲目(mu)(mu)﹕微尾(wei)、刺猬 (5) 翼手(shou)目(mu)(mu)﹕普氏(shi)(shi)蹄蝠(fu)(fu)、大馬蹄蝠(fu)(fu)、馬鐵菊(ju)(ju)頭(tou)(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)、皮(pi)氏(shi)(shi)菊(ju)(ju)頭(tou)(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)、大耳菊(ju)(ju)頭(tou)(tou)蝠(fu)(fu)、印度假吸吸血蝠(fu)(fu)、鼠(shu)(shu)耳蝠(fu)(fu)、白(bai)腹管鼻(bi)蝠(fu)(fu) (6) 兔形目(mu)(mu):鼠(shu)(shu)兔 (7) 嚙齒(chi)目(mu)(mu):苛南絨(rong)鼠(shu)(shu)、變異倉鼠(shu)(shu)、灰(hui)鼯(wu)(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)、紅(hong)白(bai)鼯(wu)(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)、赤腹松鼠(shu)(shu)、側(ce)紋(wen)巖松鼠(shu)(shu)、毛(mao)耳鼯(wu)(wu)鼠(shu)(shu)、華(hua)(hua)南豪豬、中華(hua)(hua)竹鼠(shu)(shu) (8) 食(shi)肉目(mu)(mu)﹕云豹(bao)、最后鬣狗、豺(chai)、狼、豬獾、果(guo)子貍、大熊貓巴氏(shi)(shi)亞種(zhong)、黑熊、柯(ke)氏(shi)(shi)西藏熊、華(hua)(hua)南虎、野(ye)貓 (9) 長鼻(bi)目(mu)(mu)﹕東(dong)方劍齒(chi)象(xiang)(10) 奇(qi)蹄目(mu)(mu)﹕中國犀、基(ji)氏(shi)(shi)貝爾格犀、華(hua)(hua)南巨(ju)貘(11) 偶蹄目(mu)(mu):野(ye)豬、香麝(she)、赤麂、獐、水鹿、梅花鹿、青羊、羚(ling)羊、蘇門(men)羚(ling)。
該動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)包含一定數量的(de)(de)(de)更新世絕滅種(zhong)動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 如(ru)碩(shuo)獼猴、變異倉鼠(shu)、最后鬣狗、大(da)熊貓巴氏亞種(zhong)、柯氏西藏熊、東方(fang)劍齒象、中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)犀、華南(nan)巨貘等(deng)(deng)(deng), 同時(shi)也有較多(duo)現生(sheng)種(zhong), 如(ru)云(yun)豹、豺、狼、豬獾、果子貍、野(ye)豬、水鹿、梅花鹿等(deng)(deng)(deng)。 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)組合(he)具(ju)備更新世中(zhong)(zhong)、晚期的(de)(de)(de)時(shi)代特點, 總體面貌表現出大(da)熊貓-劍齒象動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)特征(zheng). 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)生(sheng)態反映(ying)該遺址是以熱(re)帶(dai)、亞熱(re)帶(dai)森(sen)(sen)林環(huan)境(jing)景觀為主, 如(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)發現有低地(di)密林、熱(re)帶(dai)雨林以樹棲生(sheng)活(huo)為主的(de)(de)(de)云(yun)豹、長綠闊葉林帶(dai)生(sheng)活(huo)的(de)(de)(de)毛耳鼯鼠(shu)、及數量較多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)菊頭(tou)蝠等(deng)(deng)(deng). 菊頭(tou)蝠是典型的(de)(de)(de)森(sen)(sen)林性動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 并(bing)且只(zhi)在大(da)片(pian)森(sen)(sen)林環(huan)境(jing)下適宜生(sheng)存(cun), 因此又被動(dong)物(wu)(wu)學家稱為森(sen)(sen)林環(huan)境(jing)的(de)(de)(de)標志. 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)中(zhong)(zhong)也有具(ju)山(shan)地(di)特征(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)和以秦嶺(ling)(ling)為分(fen)布中(zhong)(zhong)心的(de)(de)(de)區(qu)(qu)域性動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 前者如(ru)蘇(su)門羚、青(qing)羊等(deng)(deng)(deng). 后者如(ru)苛南(nan)絨鼠(shu)等(deng)(deng)(deng). 黃龍洞動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)反映(ying)出該遺址處(chu)于秦嶺(ling)(ling)南(nan)麓的(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然區(qu)(qu)位特點, 并(bing)且還表示(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)南(nan)北氣(qi)候分(fen)界線-秦嶺(ling)(ling)山(shan)區(qu)(qu)(高度)在黃龍洞古遺址時(shi)期已經具(ju)有規模(mo)。
發現的(de)人(ren)(ren)類牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)化(hua)(hua)石共 5 枚, 分別為下頜左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)第(di)二或(huo)第(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、下頜右側(ce)第(di)二臼(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、上(shang)頜左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)犬齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、下頜右側(ce)第(di)一(yi)或(huo)第(di)二門(men)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、上(shang)頜左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)第(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi). 這些(xie)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)呈白色或(huo)黃褐色, 有(you)一(yi)定程度的(de)石化(hua)(hua). 除左(zuo)(zuo)上(shang)頜第(di)三(san)臼(jiu)(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)冠咬合面(mian)磨耗(hao)(hao)較(jiao)輕, 可能代(dai)(dai)(dai)表(biao)著(zhu)年輕個(ge)體(ti)(ti)外, 其余4枚牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)磨耗(hao)(hao)均較(jiao)嚴(yan)重, 屬于壯年以上(shang)的(de)個(ge)體(ti)(ti). 初步(bu)觀(guan)察顯示下頜門(men)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)舌側(ce)面(mian)呈明顯的(de)鏟形, 但無(wu)常見于直立(li)人(ren)(ren)的(de)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)結節和指狀突. 與迄今在(zai)中國境(jing)內(nei)(nei)發現的(de)古人(ren)(ren)類牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)測量數(shu)據(ju)對比(bi)(bi), 黃龍(long)洞牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸(cun)比(bi)(bi)以周口店為代(dai)(dai)(dai)表(biao)的(de)直立(li)人(ren)(ren)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)要(yao)小(xiao), 處在(zai)晚期智人(ren)(ren)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸(cun)變異范圍之(zhi)內(nei)(nei). 結合洞穴時代(dai)(dai)(dai)、動物群及年代(dai)(dai)(dai)測試(shi)結果(guo)綜合分析(xi), 在(zai)黃龍(long)洞發現的(de)人(ren)(ren)類牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)代(dai)(dai)(dai)表(biao)著(zhu)晚期智人(ren)(ren),建議簡稱“鄖西人(ren)(ren)”。
試(shi)掘共發(fa)現古(gu)(gu)人(ren)類(lei)制(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)和(he)使用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)及其副產(chan)品22件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian). 這些人(ren)工(gong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品多為(wei)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)類(lei)制(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質工(gong)具所(suo)產(chan)生的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)斷(duan)塊(kuai)和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian). 經加(jia)工(gong)成(cheng)型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)包(bao)括(kuo)刮(gua)削(xue)器(qi)、砍(kan)砸器(qi)、手(shou)鎬和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐. 刮(gua)削(xue)器(qi)共5件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian), 是(shi)數量多的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)器(qi)類(lei), 原(yuan)(yuan)料選(xuan)用(yong)脈(mo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英(ying)和(he)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi), 系將(jiang)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)薄(bo)銳的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)邊(bian)緣(yuan)用(yong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘打(da)制(zhi)出鋒利的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)刃口, 以供(gong)刮(gua)削(xue)、切割之用(yong). 手(shou)鎬3件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian), 原(yuan)(yuan)料為(wei)質地較粗的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)粉砂(sha)巖、火山巖和(he)變質巖, 原(yuan)(yuan)坯為(wei)卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)塊(kuai), 系將(jiang)一端打(da)制(zhi)出突起而(er)厚(hou)鈍(dun)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃, 以利挖(wa)掘. 其中(zhong)2件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)制(zhi)作(zuo)(zuo)精良、規范, 在尖(jian)部從卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)原(yuan)(yuan)有的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)弧面上向一面加(jia)工(gong)成(cheng)可供(gong)使用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃, 相對一端則敲(qiao)打(da)變鈍(dun), 適(shi)宜抓握, 持握手(shou)中(zhong)舒適(shi)而(er)適(shi)用(yong). 石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐只有1件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian), 用(yong)脈(mo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英(ying)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)制(zhi)成(cheng), 加(jia)工(gong)出的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兩條薄(bo)銳的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)刃緣(yuan)交匯成(cheng)龜首(shou)狀的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)短而(er)鈍(dun)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃. 1件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)砍(kan)砸器(qi)系用(yong)碧(bi)玉(yu)裂片(pian)制(zhi)成(cheng), 在多個邊(bian)緣(yuan)有加(jia)工(gong)和(he)使用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)痕(hen)跡, 修(xiu)整隨意、粗糙(cao). 此外, 1件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)原(yuan)(yuan)型為(wei)卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘上出現一個集中(zhong)分布細碎疤(ba)痕(hen)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)凹陷區域, 顯系砸擊(ji)生產(chan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)敲(qiao)砸堅(jian)果所(suo)致; 幾件(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)斷(duan)塊(kuai)上有不規律的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)疤(ba)痕(hen), 應是(shi)未經加(jia)工(gong)而(er)偶爾被作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)工(gong)具使用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)結果。
目前該(gai)遺址出土的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)工石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品還很少, 因而難窺古人(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)技術全貌. 從有限的(de)(de)(de)材料來(lai)看, 古人(ren)在(zai)此采用了(le)兩種技術剝離石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)、生產石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi), 即錘擊法和(he)砸擊法. 前者在(zai)中(zhong)國(guo)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時代被廣(guang)泛采用, 而后(hou)者多出現在(zai)北方的(de)(de)(de)遺址中(zhong). 該(gai)地點(dian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)加(jia)(jia)工多簡(jian)單、粗糙(cao), 采用礫石(shi)(shi)(shi)作原(yuan)料者占較(jiao)大的(de)(de)(de)比例(li), 一(yi)(yi)些(xie)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品粗大, 顯(xian)示南方礫石(shi)(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品的(de)(de)(de)鮮明特點(dian); 但加(jia)(jia)工成型的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)多為個(ge)體(ti)較(jiao)小、以石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)作毛(mao)坯的(de)(de)(de)刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi), 加(jia)(jia)之(zhi)砸擊技術的(de)(de)(de)采用, 使該(gai)遺址的(de)(de)(de)文化(hua)(hua)面貌又兼有中(zhong)國(guo)北方的(de)(de)(de)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文化(hua)(hua)風格, 顯(xian)示一(yi)(yi)種交融(rong)、過(guo)(guo)渡的(de)(de)(de)屬性. 石(shi)(shi)(shi)錘、石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)、斷塊的(de)(de)(de)存在(zai)表明古人(ren)類在(zai)遺址中(zhong)從事過(guo)(guo)制(zhi)(zhi)作石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)(de)活動(dong), 而部分伴(ban)生動(dong)物化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)上出現鋒利的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)刃口切割(ge)留下的(de)(de)(de)條痕, 說(shuo)明古人(ren)曾在(zai)洞(dong)中(zhong)使用石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi), 消費過(guo)(guo)動(dong)物食物資源(yuan), 進而證明黃龍洞(dong)是一(yi)(yi)處史前人(ren)類生產、生活和(he)消費的(de)(de)(de)場所(suo)(suo), 即所(suo)(suo)謂(wei)洞(dong)穴(xue)之(zhi)家。
宋人(ren)樂(le)史在(zai)其地理名著《太平寰宇(yu)記·山(shan)南(nan)西道·商州·上津縣(xian)載:“千(qian)人(ren)穴在(zai)縣(xian)東七十里,穴口高闊三丈(zhang),深二(er)百步,可(ke)容千(qian)人(ren),中(zhong)有石(shi)暗(an)凝若乳,味甘治疾,常有石(shi)燕(yan)、鳥(niao)群,飛出入(ru)其中(zhong)。”這是目前(qian)已知古籍中(zhong)最早記載黃龍(long)洞(dong)的。明代《鄖臺志》載:“黃龍(long)山(shan),山(shan)下有洞(dong),禱雨(yu)多應”。
2004年5月, 在為配合高速(su)公路建設進行的(de)文(wen)物(wu)調(diao)查中(zhong), 本文(wen)第一作者在湖北省鄖(yun)西縣黃龍洞發現了哺乳動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)石. 在6~8月和(he)11~12月兩次試掘中(zhong), 共有5枚人(ren)類牙齒化(hua)石、20余件石制品和(he)大(da)量動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)石被發掘出土. 初步動(dong)物(wu)群(qun)分析(xi)、石制品研(yan)究(jiu)和(he)年代測定顯示(shi)這(zhe)是一處更新(xin)世晚(wan)期(qi)古(gu)人(ren)類遺址, 對研(yan)究(jiu)中(zhong)國及東(dong)亞地區更新(xin)世晚(wan)期(qi)人(ren)類演化(hua)和(he)現代智人(ren)起源具有非常重要(yao)的(de)價值。