舊石器時(shi)代初期,廟后山遺址已有人類(lei)活動。
1978年,廟后(hou)山(shan)遺址被當(dang)地村民(min)開山(shan)打(da)石時發現。
1978至1983年,遼(liao)寧省本溪市考古部門(men)對(dui)廟后山遺址進行了4次(ci)發掘。
2012年7月,遼寧省本(ben)溪市考古部門再次啟動(dong)廟后(hou)山遺(yi)址(zhi)考古發掘工(gong)作。
廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺址坐落(luo)在(zai)本溪縣山(shan)(shan)城(cheng)子(zi)鄉山(shan)(shan)城(cheng)子(zi)村東,位(wei)于山(shan)(shan)南坡的(de)(de)一個天然洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴中。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺址一帶(dai)通稱遼東山(shan)(shan)地,周圍(wei)山(shan)(shan)巒重疊,基巖(yan)由奧陶系(xi)馬(ma)家溝組灰巖(yan)組成,地下(xia)水豐富,太子(zi)河的(de)(de)支流(liu)湯(tang)河從(cong)山(shan)(shan)下(xia)流(liu)過。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)穴位(wei)處湯(tang)河的(de)(de)二級(ji)階(jie)地,海拔約(yue)250米。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺址分(fen)(fen)上(shang)(shang)、下(xia)2個洞(dong)(dong)(dong),文(wen)化(hua)堆積共分(fen)(fen)8層(ceng)(ceng),厚(hou)13.5米,上(shang)(shang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)的(de)(de)第7、8層(ceng)(ceng),時代(dai)為晚更新(xin)世。下(xia)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)的(de)(de)第4、5、6層(ceng)(ceng)為廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)文(wen)化(hua)層(ceng)(ceng),地質時代(dai)為中更新(xin)世晚期。
1978至1983年,經過(guo)4次發(fa)掘(jue),出(chu)(chu)土(tu)了人(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙齒化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)2顆,小孩股(gu)(gu)骨(gu)(gu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)(ren)工(gong)打(da)(da)制(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)及少量(liang)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi),并發(fa)現有(you)(you)用(yong)(yong)(yong)火(huo)遺(yi)(yi)址。同時,還(huan)出(chu)(chu)土(tu)了72中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)哺(bu)乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi) [1] 。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址發(fa)現一批(pi)第(di)四(si)紀哺(bu)乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)(ren)類(lei)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)和(he)(he)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)遺(yi)(yi)物(wu),出(chu)(chu)土(tu)1枚老年人(ren)(ren)右(you)側上犬齒、1枚成(cheng)年人(ren)(ren)右(you)側下臼齒和(he)(he)1件(jian)殘(can)斷的(de)(de)(de)幼年左側股(gu)(gu)骨(gu)(gu)。下洞(dong)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)堆積中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)遺(yi)(yi)物(wu),包括石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)和(he)(he)人(ren)(ren)工(gong)打(da)(da)制(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi),石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)原料以灰綠色石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英砂(sha)巖(yan)為(wei)(wei)主,類(lei)型有(you)(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)(he)各(ge)種(zhong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi),打(da)(da)制(zhi)方(fang)法(fa)(fa)采用(yong)(yong)(yong)錘(chui)擊(ji)法(fa)(fa)和(he)(he)碰砧(zhen)(zhen)法(fa)(fa),偶爾用(yong)(yong)(yong)砸擊(ji)法(fa)(fa),廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)人(ren)(ren)主要用(yong)(yong)(yong)碰砧(zhen)(zhen)法(fa)(fa)打(da)(da)制(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian),打(da)(da)出(chu)(chu)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)寬大而(er)厚重,主要器(qi)(qi)(qi)物(wu)有(you)(you)刮(gua)削器(qi)(qi)(qi)、尖狀器(qi)(qi)(qi)、砍砸器(qi)(qi)(qi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)球等,加工(gong)簡單(dan)(dan)、粗糙(cao),特征與(yu)(yu)周口店等第(di)15地(di)(di)點石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)相似(si)(si)。與(yu)(yu)這批(pi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)共(gong)出(chu)(chu)的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)品(pin),有(you)(you)用(yong)(yong)(yong)大型哺(bu)乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)管狀骨(gu)(gu)打(da)(da)制(zhi)而(er)成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)刃類(lei)和(he)(he)尖狀骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi)(qi),這些骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)品(pin),打(da)(da)制(zhi)方(fang)法(fa)(fa)簡單(dan)(dan),用(yong)(yong)(yong)以補充石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)(de)不足。另外,在舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)層中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),發(fa)現灰燼、炭屑和(he)(he)燒過(guo)的(de)(de)(de)碎骨(gu)(gu),灰燼層厚5-10厘米,由(you)粉末(mo)狀黑褐色物(wu)質組成(cheng),中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)間夾灰白色顆粒(li),是(shi)東北(bei)(bei)地(di)(di)區(qu)繼金牛山(shan)(shan)人(ren)(ren)之后(hou)又一處(chu)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時代早期人(ren)(ren)類(lei)用(yong)(yong)(yong)火(huo)遺(yi)(yi)跡。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)出(chu)(chu)土(tu)的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)共(gong)76種(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)哺(bu)乳(ru)(ru)類(lei)有(you)(you)8個(ge)目72種(zhong),較古(gu)老的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)有(you)(you)碩(shuo)獼猴、安氏(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)河(he)貍、變種(zhong)狼、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)貉(he)、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國鬣(lie)狗、似(si)(si)劍齒虎、師(shi)氏(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)河(he)貍、三門馬、梅(mei)氏(shi)犀(xi)、腫骨(gu)(gu)鹿等,這些動(dong)物(wu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),絕滅(mie)種(zhong)占53%以上,種(zhong)類(lei)基(ji)本是(shi)華(hua)(hua)北(bei)(bei)地(di)(di)區(qu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)新世典(dian)型動(dong)物(wu),也包括部分華(hua)(hua)北(bei)(bei)早更(geng)新世和(he)(he)第(di)三紀殘(can)余種(zhong),地(di)(di)質時代為(wei)(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)新世。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)下洞(dong)動(dong)物(wu)群(qun)以喜熱(re)類(lei)為(wei)(wei)主,植被以松、櫟等針、闊葉樹為(wei)(wei)主。上洞(dong)(即7、8層)動(dong)物(wu)群(qun),代表(biao)華(hua)(hua)北(bei)(bei)——東北(bei)(bei)晚更(geng)新世種(zhong)類(lei),絕滅(mie)種(zhong)占38.4%,如(ru)披毛犀(xi)、猛犸象、原始(shi)牛等種(zhong)類(lei)。
從2012年7月(yue)開始,廟后山遺址考古發掘工作再次啟動,發掘出1萬余(yu)件(jian)古生物化石(shi)、100余(yu)件(jian)土石(shi)器以及一(yi)定數量的刃類、尖類骨器等(deng),在遺址現場東側(ce)發掘出火(huo)塘遺址。
廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發(fa)現(xian),證(zheng)明(ming)了(le)原始社會舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)時代初期,地(di)(di)處關外的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)遼東地(di)(di)區(qu)有(you)(you)了(le)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類活(huo)動。對(dui)廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)研(yan)(yan)究表明(ming),這支早期人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)和(he)(he)華北的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)有(you)(you)密切聯(lian)(lian)系。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)考古(gu)發(fa)掘出的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)火塘遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi),表明(ming)廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類已掌握了(le)用火烤(kao)肉和(he)(he)敲骨吸髓(sui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)食用方法,是人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類踏入文(wen)明(ming)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)標志。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)對(dui)于探索中國遠古(gu)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)來龍去脈,具有(you)(you)十分重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)意(yi)義,為(wei)中國東北第四紀地(di)(di)質(zhi)學(xue)、古(gu)生物(wu)學(xue)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)研(yan)(yan)究提供了(le)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)資(zi)料。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)出土了(le)大量(liang)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)、骨片和(he)(he)動物(wu)化(hua)(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi),具有(you)(you)很高的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)文(wen)物(wu)價值(zhi)、考古(gu)價值(zhi)和(he)(he)科(ke)研(yan)(yan)價值(zhi)。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)為(wei)研(yan)(yan)究中國古(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類分布和(he)(he)發(fa)展以及古(gu)地(di)(di)理環境等提供了(le)寶貴(gui)資(zi)料,揭(jie)示出其與華北地(di)(di)區(qu)舊(jiu)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)文(wen)化(hua)(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)密切聯(lian)(lian)系,對(dui)于考證(zheng)廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)古(gu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動范圍、生存能力、加(jia)工(gong)工(gong)具技術(shu)等,也(ye)具有(you)(you)非常重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)意(yi)義。
2006年5月25日,廟后山(shan)遺址被中(zhong)華人(ren)民共和國(guo)國(guo)務院公布(bu)為第六(liu)批全(quan)國(guo)重點文(wen)物保護單位(wei)。
2016年,本溪滿族自治縣文(wen)化廣(guang)播(bo)電影電視局開展了(le)廟后(hou)山(shan)遺(yi)址(zhi)址(zhi)危(wei)(wei)巖體(ti)搶(qiang)險(xian)(xian)加固(gu)及洞(dong)口防(fang)(fang)護(hu)建(jian)設(she)工程(cheng),對遺(yi)址(zhi)A洞(dong)的洞(dong)體(ti)坍塌采取(qu)緊急搶(qiang)險(xian)(xian)加固(gu)措施,并對原有失效的洞(dong)門防(fang)(fang)護(hu)棚(peng)予以拆除,重建(jian)1處與山(shan)體(ti)相協(xie)調(diao)的拱形防(fang)(fang)護(hu)棚(peng);同(tong)時,對其(qi)他(ta)2處洞(dong)室(shi)的危(wei)(wei)巖進行適當的加固(gu)后(hou),對洞(dong)口危(wei)(wei)險(xian)(xian)地帶(dai)設(she)置拱形防(fang)(fang)護(hu)棚(peng)進行防(fang)(fang)護(hu)。
廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)遺址填補了中(zhong)國東北地區早(zao)期人(ren)(ren)類歷史(shi)的空白(bai),被(bei)命名(ming)為(wei)“廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)文化”,廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)文化與北京(jing)山(shan)頂洞人(ren)(ren)、周口店(dian)人(ren)(ren)等古人(ren)(ren)類所處(chu)年代為(wei)同一時代。