“The site's discovery of a large number of exquisitely preserved wooden materials and plant seeds is a rarity among Paleolithic sites, because they are highly susceptible to decay and degradation, hindering their formation as archaeological specimens,“ said Gao Xing, a corresponding author of the study and a researcher from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

　　Noting that the wooden materials discovered at Paleolithic sites in Africa, Europe and West Asia are fragmented, he attributed the exceptional preservation of wooden artifacts at the Gantangqing site to its distinct location and environment.

　　Through comprehensive analysis of geomorphology, stratigraphy, paleobotany and taphonomy, the research team determined that the strata containing cultural relics are lacustrine and fluvial deposits from the ancient Fuxian Lake. The site was rapidly buried and preserved in a water-saturated, oxygen-deficient and stable environment, conditions highly conducive to the conservation of organic materials.

　　Moreover, animal and plant fossils indicate an optimal habitat for the ancient population, characterized by plentiful aquatic plants, dense forests and diverse animals thriving in tropical and subtropical environments.

　　To establish the artificial origin and functions of these wooden tools, the team conducted in-depth investigations through material analysis, trace analysis, residue analysis and experimental simulations. Through these methods, they identified 35 human-made wooden tools out of the nearly 1,000 unearthed wooden materials.