舊石器時代初期,廟后山遺址已有人(ren)類活動。
1978年,廟后山(shan)(shan)遺址被當地村民開山(shan)(shan)打石時發現。
1978至1983年(nian),遼寧省本溪(xi)市考古(gu)部(bu)門對廟后山遺址(zhi)進行了(le)4次發(fa)掘。
2012年7月,遼寧省(sheng)本溪市考古部門再(zai)次啟(qi)動廟后山遺址考古發掘工作。
廟后(hou)(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址坐(zuo)落在本(ben)溪(xi)縣(xian)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)城(cheng)子鄉山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)城(cheng)子村(cun)東,位于山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)南坡的一個天然洞(dong)穴中(zhong)。廟后(hou)(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址一帶(dai)通(tong)稱遼(liao)東山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di),周圍(wei)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)巒(luan)重疊,基巖由奧陶(tao)系馬家溝組(zu)灰(hui)巖組(zu)成,地(di)下(xia)水豐富,太子河(he)的支流(liu)湯河(he)從山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)下(xia)流(liu)過。廟后(hou)(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)洞(dong)穴位處(chu)湯河(he)的二級階地(di),海拔約250米。廟后(hou)(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)遺(yi)址分上、下(xia)2個洞(dong),文化堆積共分8層(ceng),厚13.5米,上洞(dong)的第7、8層(ceng),時(shi)代為(wei)晚更新(xin)世。下(xia)洞(dong)的第4、5、6層(ceng)為(wei)廟后(hou)(hou)(hou)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)文化層(ceng),地(di)質時(shi)代為(wei)中(zhong)更新(xin)世晚期(qi)。
1978至1983年,經過4次發掘(jue),出(chu)土了人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)牙齒(chi)(chi)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)2顆(ke),小(xiao)孩股骨(gu)(gu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)工打(da)(da)制(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)及少(shao)量骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi),并發現(xian)有(you)用(yong)火遺(yi)(yi)址。同時,還出(chu)土了72中(zhong)(zhong)哺乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi) [1] 。廟后山(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址發現(xian)一批(pi)第(di)四(si)紀哺乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)和(he)(he)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)遺(yi)(yi)物(wu)(wu),出(chu)土1枚老(lao)年人(ren)右側(ce)上(shang)(shang)犬齒(chi)(chi)、1枚成(cheng)(cheng)年人(ren)右側(ce)下臼齒(chi)(chi)和(he)(he)1件殘斷的(de)(de)(de)幼年左側(ce)股骨(gu)(gu)。下洞文(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)堆積中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)遺(yi)(yi)物(wu)(wu),包括(kuo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)和(he)(he)人(ren)工打(da)(da)制(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi),石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)原料(liao)以灰(hui)綠色石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英砂巖為(wei)(wei)主(zhu),類(lei)(lei)(lei)型(xing)有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)核、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)(he)各種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi),打(da)(da)制(zhi)方法采用(yong)錘擊法和(he)(he)碰砧法,偶爾用(yong)砸擊法,廟后山(shan)人(ren)主(zhu)要用(yong)碰砧法打(da)(da)制(zhi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian),打(da)(da)出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)寬大而厚重,主(zhu)要器(qi)(qi)物(wu)(wu)有(you)刮削器(qi)(qi)、尖狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)器(qi)(qi)、砍砸器(qi)(qi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)球等(deng)(deng),加(jia)工簡單(dan)(dan)、粗糙,特征與(yu)周(zhou)口(kou)店等(deng)(deng)第(di)15地(di)點石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)相(xiang)似。與(yu)這批(pi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)共出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)品(pin),有(you)用(yong)大型(xing)哺乳(ru)(ru)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)管狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)骨(gu)(gu)打(da)(da)制(zhi)而成(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)刃類(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)(he)尖狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)骨(gu)(gu)器(qi)(qi),這些骨(gu)(gu)制(zhi)品(pin),打(da)(da)制(zhi)方法簡單(dan)(dan),用(yong)以補充石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)(de)不足。另外,在舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)(hua)層(ceng)中(zhong)(zhong),發現(xian)灰(hui)燼、炭(tan)屑和(he)(he)燒(shao)過的(de)(de)(de)碎(sui)骨(gu)(gu),灰(hui)燼層(ceng)厚5-10厘米,由粉末狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)黑(hei)褐色物(wu)(wu)質組成(cheng)(cheng),中(zhong)(zhong)間夾(jia)灰(hui)白色顆(ke)粒,是東北(bei)(bei)地(di)區繼金牛山(shan)人(ren)之后又一處舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)時代早期人(ren)類(lei)(lei)(lei)用(yong)火遺(yi)(yi)跡。廟后山(shan)出(chu)土的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)共76種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)哺乳(ru)(ru)類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)8個目72種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),較古老(lao)的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)有(you)碩(shuo)獼猴、安氏(shi)(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)河貍(li)、變種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)狼、中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)貉、中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)鬣狗、似劍齒(chi)(chi)虎(hu)、師氏(shi)(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)河貍(li)、三門馬(ma)、梅氏(shi)(shi)犀(xi)、腫骨(gu)(gu)鹿等(deng)(deng),這些動(dong)物(wu)(wu)中(zhong)(zhong),絕(jue)滅種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)占53%以上(shang)(shang),種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)基本是華(hua)北(bei)(bei)地(di)區中(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)(geng)新世(shi)(shi)典型(xing)動(dong)物(wu)(wu),也包括(kuo)部分華(hua)北(bei)(bei)早更(geng)(geng)新世(shi)(shi)和(he)(he)第(di)三紀殘余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),地(di)質時代為(wei)(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)更(geng)(geng)新世(shi)(shi)。廟后山(shan)下洞動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群以喜熱類(lei)(lei)(lei)為(wei)(wei)主(zhu),植被(bei)以松(song)、櫟等(deng)(deng)針、闊葉樹為(wei)(wei)主(zhu)。上(shang)(shang)洞(即(ji)7、8層(ceng))動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群,代表華(hua)北(bei)(bei)——東北(bei)(bei)晚更(geng)(geng)新世(shi)(shi)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei),絕(jue)滅種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)占38.4%,如披毛犀(xi)、猛犸象、原始(shi)牛等(deng)(deng)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)。
從2012年7月開始,廟(miao)后山遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)考古(gu)發(fa)(fa)掘工(gong)作再次啟動,發(fa)(fa)掘出1萬(wan)余(yu)件(jian)古(gu)生物化石(shi)(shi)、100余(yu)件(jian)土石(shi)(shi)器以及一定數量的刃類、尖類骨器等,在遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)現場(chang)東(dong)側發(fa)(fa)掘出火(huo)塘遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。
廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發(fa)現(xian),證明(ming)(ming)了(le)原始社會舊石器時代初期,地(di)處關外的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)遼東地(di)區有(you)了(le)人(ren)(ren)類活(huo)動(dong)(dong)。對(dui)(dui)廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)文(wen)化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)研究表明(ming)(ming),這支(zhi)早期人(ren)(ren)類文(wen)化(hua)和華北的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)舊石器文(wen)化(hua)有(you)密(mi)切聯系(xi)。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址考古(gu)(gu)發(fa)掘出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)火(huo)塘遺(yi)(yi)址,表明(ming)(ming)廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)類已掌握了(le)用火(huo)烤肉和敲骨吸髓的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)食用方法(fa),是人(ren)(ren)類踏入文(wen)明(ming)(ming)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)重要標志。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址對(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)探(tan)索中國遠古(gu)(gu)文(wen)化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)來龍去脈,具(ju)(ju)有(you)十(shi)分(fen)重要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)意(yi)義,為中國東北第四紀地(di)質(zhi)學(xue)、古(gu)(gu)生物學(xue)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)研究提(ti)供(gong)了(le)重要資(zi)料。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址出(chu)土(tu)了(le)大(da)量石器、骨片和動(dong)(dong)物化(hua)石,具(ju)(ju)有(you)很高的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)文(wen)物價值(zhi)、考古(gu)(gu)價值(zhi)和科研價值(zhi)。廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)遺(yi)(yi)址為研究中國古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)類分(fen)布(bu)和發(fa)展以及古(gu)(gu)地(di)理環境等提(ti)供(gong)了(le)寶貴資(zi)料,揭示出(chu)其與華北地(di)區舊石器文(wen)化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)密(mi)切聯系(xi),對(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)考證廟(miao)后(hou)山(shan)(shan)古(gu)(gu)人(ren)(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)范圍、生存能力、加工工具(ju)(ju)技(ji)術等,也具(ju)(ju)有(you)非(fei)常重要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)意(yi)義。
2006年5月25日(ri),廟(miao)后山遺(yi)址被中華人民共和(he)國(guo)國(guo)務院公(gong)布(bu)為第六批全(quan)國(guo)重點(dian)文(wen)物(wu)保(bao)護單(dan)位。
2016年,本溪滿族自治縣文(wen)化(hua)廣播電影電視局開(kai)展了廟(miao)后山遺址址危巖體(ti)搶(qiang)險(xian)加固及洞口(kou)防護(hu)建設(she)工程(cheng),對(dui)(dui)遺址A洞的(de)(de)洞體(ti)坍(tan)塌采取緊急搶(qiang)險(xian)加固措施,并對(dui)(dui)原有失效(xiao)的(de)(de)洞門(men)防護(hu)棚予以(yi)拆除(chu),重建1處與山體(ti)相協調的(de)(de)拱形防護(hu)棚;同時,對(dui)(dui)其他(ta)2處洞室的(de)(de)危巖進行適當的(de)(de)加固后,對(dui)(dui)洞口(kou)危險(xian)地帶設(she)置拱形防護(hu)棚進行防護(hu)。
廟后山(shan)遺址填(tian)補(bu)了中國東北地區(qu)早(zao)期(qi)人(ren)類歷史的空(kong)白,被命名為“廟后山(shan)文(wen)化”,廟后山(shan)文(wen)化與北京山(shan)頂洞(dong)人(ren)、周口店人(ren)等古人(ren)類所處(chu)年代為同一時代。