舊(jiu)石(shi)器(qi)時代初期(qi),廟后山遺址已有人類活動。
1978年,廟后(hou)山遺址被(bei)當(dang)地村民開(kai)山打石時發現。
1978至1983年(nian),遼寧省(sheng)本溪市(shi)考古部(bu)門對廟后山遺址進(jin)行了4次發掘。
2012年7月,遼(liao)寧(ning)省(sheng)本溪市考(kao)(kao)古部(bu)門再次啟動廟后山(shan)遺址考(kao)(kao)古發掘工作。
廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址坐落(luo)在本溪縣山(shan)(shan)城子鄉山(shan)(shan)城子村東(dong),位于山(shan)(shan)南坡(po)的(de)一個天然洞(dong)穴中(zhong)。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址一帶通稱(cheng)遼東(dong)山(shan)(shan)地,周圍山(shan)(shan)巒重疊,基(ji)巖由奧陶系馬(ma)家溝組灰巖組成,地下(xia)(xia)水豐富,太子河的(de)支流湯(tang)河從山(shan)(shan)下(xia)(xia)流過。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)洞(dong)穴位處(chu)湯(tang)河的(de)二(er)級階地,海(hai)拔約(yue)250米。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址分(fen)上、下(xia)(xia)2個洞(dong),文(wen)化(hua)堆積共分(fen)8層,厚13.5米,上洞(dong)的(de)第7、8層,時代為(wei)晚更新世(shi)(shi)。下(xia)(xia)洞(dong)的(de)第4、5、6層為(wei)廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)文(wen)化(hua)層,地質時代為(wei)中(zhong)更新世(shi)(shi)晚期。
1978至1983年(nian),經過4次發(fa)掘,出(chu)土了人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)牙(ya)齒化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)2顆,小孩股(gu)骨(gu)(gu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)工打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)及少量骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),并(bing)發(fa)現有(you)用(yong)(yong)火遺(yi)址。同時(shi),還出(chu)土了72中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)哺(bu)乳動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi) [1] 。廟后(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址發(fa)現一批第(di)四紀哺(bu)乳動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)和(he)文化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)遺(yi)物(wu)(wu),出(chu)土1枚老(lao)年(nian)人(ren)右側上(shang)犬齒、1枚成(cheng)年(nian)人(ren)右側下臼齒和(he)1件殘斷的(de)(de)幼年(nian)左側股(gu)骨(gu)(gu)。下洞文化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)堆(dui)積中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)遺(yi)物(wu)(wu),包(bao)(bao)括(kuo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)(zhi)品和(he)人(ren)工打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)原(yuan)料(liao)以(yi)(yi)(yi)灰綠(lv)色石(shi)(shi)(shi)英砂(sha)巖為(wei)主(zhu),類(lei)(lei)(lei)型有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)核、石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)各種(zhong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)方(fang)法(fa)(fa)(fa)采用(yong)(yong)錘擊(ji)法(fa)(fa)(fa)和(he)碰(peng)砧(zhen)法(fa)(fa)(fa),偶爾用(yong)(yong)砸(za)擊(ji)法(fa)(fa)(fa),廟后(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)人(ren)主(zhu)要(yao)用(yong)(yong)碰(peng)砧(zhen)法(fa)(fa)(fa)打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian),打(da)出(chu)的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)寬大而厚重,主(zhu)要(yao)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)物(wu)(wu)有(you)刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)、尖(jian)狀(zhuang)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)、砍(kan)砸(za)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)球等(deng),加(jia)工簡(jian)單(dan)(dan)、粗糙,特(te)征(zheng)與周口店等(deng)第(di)15地(di)點(dian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)相似。與這批石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)共出(chu)的(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)(zhi)品,有(you)用(yong)(yong)大型哺(bu)乳動(dong)物(wu)(wu)管狀(zhuang)骨(gu)(gu)打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)而成(cheng)的(de)(de)刃類(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)尖(jian)狀(zhuang)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),這些骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)(zhi)品,打(da)制(zhi)(zhi)方(fang)法(fa)(fa)(fa)簡(jian)單(dan)(dan),用(yong)(yong)以(yi)(yi)(yi)補(bu)充石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)不(bu)足。另外,在舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)文化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)層中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),發(fa)現灰燼(jin)、炭(tan)屑和(he)燒過的(de)(de)碎骨(gu)(gu),灰燼(jin)層厚5-10厘米,由粉末狀(zhuang)黑褐色物(wu)(wu)質組成(cheng),中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)間(jian)夾(jia)灰白色顆粒,是東北地(di)區繼金牛山(shan)(shan)人(ren)之后(hou)(hou)又一處(chu)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)時(shi)代(dai)早(zao)期人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)用(yong)(yong)火遺(yi)跡。廟后(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)出(chu)土的(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)共76種(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)哺(bu)乳類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)8個(ge)目72種(zhong),較古(gu)老(lao)的(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)有(you)碩獼猴(hou)、安(an)氏中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)河貍、變種(zhong)狼、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)貉、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國鬣狗(gou)、似劍齒虎、師氏中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)河貍、三門馬、梅(mei)氏犀、腫(zhong)骨(gu)(gu)鹿等(deng),這些動(dong)物(wu)(wu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),絕滅(mie)種(zhong)占(zhan)53%以(yi)(yi)(yi)上(shang),種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)基本是華(hua)北地(di)區中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世典型動(dong)物(wu)(wu),也(ye)包(bao)(bao)括(kuo)部(bu)分華(hua)北早(zao)更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世和(he)第(di)三紀殘余種(zhong),地(di)質時(shi)代(dai)為(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世。廟后(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)下洞動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群以(yi)(yi)(yi)喜熱類(lei)(lei)(lei)為(wei)主(zhu),植被以(yi)(yi)(yi)松、櫟等(deng)針(zhen)、闊(kuo)葉樹(shu)為(wei)主(zhu)。上(shang)洞(即7、8層)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群,代(dai)表華(hua)北——東北晚更(geng)新(xin)(xin)世種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei),絕滅(mie)種(zhong)占(zhan)38.4%,如(ru)披(pi)毛犀、猛犸象、原(yuan)始牛等(deng)種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)。
從(cong)2012年7月開始,廟后(hou)山遺(yi)址(zhi)考古(gu)發(fa)掘工作再次啟動(dong),發(fa)掘出1萬余件(jian)古(gu)生物化(hua)石(shi)(shi)、100余件(jian)土石(shi)(shi)器(qi)以(yi)及一定數量的(de)刃(ren)類、尖類骨器(qi)等,在遺(yi)址(zhi)現(xian)場東側發(fa)掘出火塘遺(yi)址(zhi)。
廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)的(de)發現,證(zheng)明(ming)(ming)(ming)了(le)(le)原始社會舊(jiu)石器(qi)時代初期,地處關外的(de)遼東地區有了(le)(le)人(ren)類(lei)活(huo)動(dong)。對廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)研究表(biao)明(ming)(ming)(ming),這(zhe)支早期人(ren)類(lei)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)和(he)華北的(de)舊(jiu)石器(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)有密切聯(lian)系。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)考古發掘出的(de)火塘遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi),表(biao)明(ming)(ming)(ming)廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)古人(ren)類(lei)已掌握了(le)(le)用(yong)火烤肉和(he)敲(qiao)骨(gu)吸髓的(de)食用(yong)方法,是人(ren)類(lei)踏入(ru)文(wen)明(ming)(ming)(ming)的(de)重要(yao)標(biao)志。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)對于(yu)探索(suo)中國遠古文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)來(lai)龍去脈,具有十分(fen)(fen)重要(yao)的(de)意(yi)(yi)義(yi),為中國東北第四紀地質(zhi)學、古生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)學的(de)研究提供了(le)(le)重要(yao)資料。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)出土了(le)(le)大(da)量石器(qi)、骨(gu)片(pian)和(he)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)石,具有很高的(de)文(wen)物(wu)(wu)價(jia)值、考古價(jia)值和(he)科研價(jia)值。廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)為研究中國古人(ren)類(lei)分(fen)(fen)布(bu)和(he)發展以及古地理(li)環境(jing)等提供了(le)(le)寶貴資料,揭示(shi)出其與華北地區舊(jiu)石器(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)密切聯(lian)系,對于(yu)考證(zheng)廟(miao)后山(shan)(shan)古人(ren)類(lei)的(de)活(huo)動(dong)范(fan)圍、生(sheng)存能力(li)、加工(gong)工(gong)具技術等,也(ye)具有非常重要(yao)的(de)意(yi)(yi)義(yi)。
2006年5月(yue)25日,廟后山遺址被中華人民共和國(guo)(guo)國(guo)(guo)務院公布為第六(liu)批全國(guo)(guo)重點文物保護單位。
2016年,本溪滿族自(zi)治縣文化廣播電影電視局開展了廟(miao)后山遺址址危(wei)巖體搶險(xian)(xian)加固(gu)及洞(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)防(fang)護建設工程,對(dui)遺址A洞(dong)(dong)的洞(dong)(dong)體坍(tan)塌(ta)采(cai)取緊急搶險(xian)(xian)加固(gu)措施,并(bing)對(dui)原有(you)失效的洞(dong)(dong)門防(fang)護棚(peng)予以拆除,重(zhong)建1處與山體相(xiang)協調的拱形防(fang)護棚(peng);同時,對(dui)其他(ta)2處洞(dong)(dong)室的危(wei)巖進(jin)(jin)行(xing)適當(dang)的加固(gu)后,對(dui)洞(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)危(wei)險(xian)(xian)地(di)帶設置拱形防(fang)護棚(peng)進(jin)(jin)行(xing)防(fang)護。
廟(miao)后(hou)山遺址填補了中國(guo)東(dong)北地區早期人(ren)類歷史的空白,被命名為(wei)“廟(miao)后(hou)山文(wen)化(hua)(hua)”,廟(miao)后(hou)山文(wen)化(hua)(hua)與北京山頂洞人(ren)、周(zhou)口店(dian)人(ren)等古人(ren)類所處年代為(wei)同一時代。