遺址位(wei)于(yu)湖北(bei)(bei)省十堰市鄖(yun)西縣香(xiang)口(kou)(kou)鄉黃(huang)(huang)云(yun)鋪村,是(shi)舊石器時代的(de)古遺址。黃(huang)(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)地(di)(di)理坐標為(wei) 110°13′04.3″E, 33°07′62.8″N, 海拔約(yue)601 m. 黃(huang)(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)處于(yu)秦嶺東段南(nan)麓(lu)丘陵山地(di)(di), 發(fa)(fa)育于(yu)古生(sheng)界(jie)寒武(wu)系(xi)中統岳(yue)家坪組的(de)石灰巖(yan)地(di)(di)層(ceng)(ceng), 該(gai)組地(di)(di)層(ceng)(ceng)在黃(huang)(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)附近表現(xian)為(wei)黑色中-薄層(ceng)(ceng)層(ceng)(ceng)狀(zhuang)泥質灰巖(yan)和(he)含碳泥質灰巖(yan). 該(gai)區在地(di)(di)質構造上(shang)屬(shu)南(nan)秦嶺-印支褶皺帶(dai)東段, 地(di)(di)貌以(yi)中、低山和(he)盆(pen)地(di)(di)為(wei)主(zhu)(zhu), 地(di)(di)勢起伏變化大(da), 山坡陡(dou)峻, 溝壑(he)縱橫. 黃(huang)(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)為(wei)大(da)型管狀(zhuang)溶洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)平面主(zhu)(zhu)軸近東北(bei)(bei)-西南(nan)向(xiang)(xiang). 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)原(yuan)始寬(kuan)度約(yue) 27.8 m, 高約(yue)11 m. 現(xian)初步探明洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)水(shui)平深(shen)度約(yue)400余米(未到(dao)盡頭), 寬(kuan)度11~117 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)朝向(xiang)(xiang)東北(bei)(bei), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)前(qian)有發(fa)(fa)源于(yu)秦嶺的(de)大(da)水(shui)河(漢江支流), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)高出河水(shui)約(yue)7.8 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)前(qian)是(shi)順大(da)水(shui)河發(fa)(fa)育的(de)狹長平川, 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)后是(shi)綿延(yan)的(de)黃(huang)(huang)龍(long)山(主(zhu)(zhu)峰(feng)1277 m). 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)內原(yuan)生(sheng)堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)深(shen)厚(hou), 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物(wu)(wu)(wu)頂(ding)部普遍發(fa)(fa)育鈣板(ban)層(ceng)(ceng). 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物(wu)(wu)(wu)在洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)處位(wei)置(zhi)較(jiao)低, 向(xiang)(xiang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)里逐漸抬升, 與(yu)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)頂(ding)部間距漸小. 堆(dui)(dui)積(ji)物(wu)(wu)(wu)結構簡單(dan), 自然(ran)分層(ceng)(ceng)較(jiao)清楚, 自上(shang)而下可劃分為(wei)5層(ceng)(ceng)。
(1) 頂鈣(gai)板層: 乳(ru)白色或棕黃色, 大多結構致密、純凈, 局部不純凈者結構疏松. 在洞內分布比較普(pu)遍, 厚約2~ 28 cm;
(2) 粉(fen)(fen)砂(sha)(sha)質黏(nian)土-砂(sha)(sha)礫層(ceng): 粉(fen)(fen)砂(sha)(sha)質黏(nian)土與砂(sha)(sha)礫呈(cheng)“同層(ceng)異相”: 靠洞口的堆積為(wei)含黏(nian)土基質的砂(sha)(sha)礫, 向洞內則砂(sha)(sha)礫逐漸變少、礫徑漸小, 在洞內深處(chu)轉變為(wei)粉(fen)(fen)砂(sha)(sha)質黏(nian)土. 洞內地(di)勢(shi)較高處(chu)該層(ceng)缺失. 無包含物. 厚1~201 cm;
(3) 紅(hong)色粉砂質黏(nian)土層(ceng): 層(ceng)內間續發育(yu)2層(ceng)薄鈣(gai)板, 鈣(gai)板呈局部、斷續發育(yu), 棕黃色. 鈣(gai)板層(ceng)下方局部發育(yu)有孤(gu)立的石(shi)筍, 與鈣(gai)板層(ceng)無直接(jie)連(lian)接(jie). 本(ben)層(ceng)厚58~101 cm;
(4) 石灰巖風(feng)(feng)化(hua)物堆(dui)積(ji)層: 結(jie)構(gou)較松散, 主要為石灰巖風(feng)(feng)化(hua)角礫和風(feng)(feng)化(hua)殘(can)余黏土基質等. 無包含物, 厚41~66 cm;
(5) 棕紅(hong)色粉砂質黏土(tu), 結構較緊密, 無包(bao)含(han)物, 厚(hou)18~26 cm。
2013年(nian)5月 ,被(bei)國務(wu)院核(he)定公布為第七批全國重(zhong)點文物(wu)保(bao)護(hu)單位。
黃龍洞(dong)出(chu)土動物化石1700余件, 經初步(bu)鑒(jian)定為11目50種.
(1)靈長目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕碩獼(mi)猴、獼(mi)猴、灰(hui)葉猴 (2) 十(shi)足(zu)目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕重石束腹(fu)蟹(xie) (3) 無尾(wei)目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕蛙 (4) 食蟲目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕微尾(wei)、刺(ci)猬 (5) 翼手目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕普氏(shi)蹄蝠(fu)、大馬蹄蝠(fu)、馬鐵菊頭(tou)蝠(fu)、皮氏(shi)菊頭(tou)蝠(fu)、大耳(er)菊頭(tou)蝠(fu)、印度假(jia)吸(xi)吸(xi)血蝠(fu)、鼠(shu)耳(er)蝠(fu)、白腹(fu)管鼻蝠(fu) (6) 兔形目(mu)(mu)(mu):鼠(shu)兔 (7) 嚙齒目(mu)(mu)(mu):苛南絨(rong)鼠(shu)、變異倉鼠(shu)、灰(hui)鼯鼠(shu)、紅白鼯鼠(shu)、赤(chi)腹(fu)松(song)鼠(shu)、側紋巖松(song)鼠(shu)、毛耳(er)鼯鼠(shu)、華(hua)南豪豬、中華(hua)竹鼠(shu) (8) 食肉目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕云豹、最后鬣狗、豺(chai)、狼、豬獾、果(guo)子(zi)貍、大熊貓巴氏(shi)亞種、黑(hei)熊、柯氏(shi)西藏(zang)熊、華(hua)南虎、野貓 (9) 長鼻目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕東(dong)方(fang)劍齒象(10) 奇蹄目(mu)(mu)(mu)﹕中國犀、基氏(shi)貝爾格犀、華(hua)南巨(ju)貘(11) 偶蹄目(mu)(mu)(mu):野豬、香麝、赤(chi)麂、獐、水鹿、梅花鹿、青羊(yang)、羚(ling)羊(yang)、蘇門羚(ling)。
該(gai)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)包(bao)含一定數量的(de)(de)更(geng)新(xin)世絕滅種動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 如碩獼猴(hou)、變異倉鼠、最后(hou)鬣狗(gou)、大(da)熊(xiong)貓巴氏(shi)亞種、柯氏(shi)西藏熊(xiong)、東(dong)方(fang)劍齒(chi)(chi)象、中(zhong)國犀(xi)、華南巨(ju)貘等(deng), 同時(shi)也有較多(duo)現生(sheng)種, 如云豹、豺、狼、豬獾、果子貍、野豬、水(shui)鹿、梅(mei)花(hua)鹿等(deng)。 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)組(zu)合(he)具備更(geng)新(xin)世中(zhong)、晚(wan)期(qi)的(de)(de)時(shi)代特(te)點(dian), 總體面貌表(biao)現出(chu)大(da)熊(xiong)貓-劍齒(chi)(chi)象動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)特(te)征. 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)生(sheng)態(tai)反映該(gai)遺址是以(yi)熱(re)帶、亞熱(re)帶森(sen)林(lin)(lin)(lin)環(huan)境景觀為主(zhu), 如動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)中(zhong)發(fa)現有低地(di)密林(lin)(lin)(lin)、熱(re)帶雨林(lin)(lin)(lin)以(yi)樹棲生(sheng)活為主(zhu)的(de)(de)云豹、長綠闊葉林(lin)(lin)(lin)帶生(sheng)活的(de)(de)毛耳(er)鼯(wu)鼠、及數量較多(duo)的(de)(de)菊頭(tou)蝠等(deng). 菊頭(tou)蝠是典(dian)型的(de)(de)森(sen)林(lin)(lin)(lin)性動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 并且只在(zai)大(da)片(pian)森(sen)林(lin)(lin)(lin)環(huan)境下適宜生(sheng)存, 因此又(you)被動(dong)物(wu)(wu)學家稱為森(sen)林(lin)(lin)(lin)環(huan)境的(de)(de)標志. 動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)中(zhong)也有具山(shan)地(di)特(te)征的(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)和以(yi)秦嶺為分布中(zhong)心的(de)(de)區域性動(dong)物(wu)(wu), 前者(zhe)如蘇門羚、青羊等(deng). 后(hou)者(zhe)如苛南絨鼠等(deng). 黃龍(long)洞動(dong)物(wu)(wu)群(qun)(qun)反映出(chu)該(gai)遺址處于秦嶺南麓的(de)(de)自然區位(wei)特(te)點(dian), 并且還表(biao)示中(zhong)國南北(bei)氣候分界線(xian)-秦嶺山(shan)區(高(gao)度)在(zai)黃龍(long)洞古遺址時(shi)期(qi)已經(jing)具有規模。
發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)化石共 5 枚, 分別為(wei)下(xia)頜左側第(di)(di)(di)二(er)或第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜右側第(di)(di)(di)二(er)臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜左側犬齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜右側第(di)(di)(di)一或第(di)(di)(di)二(er)門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜左側第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi). 這些牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)呈(cheng)白色或黃(huang)褐(he)色, 有一定程度的(de)石化. 除左上頜第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼(jiu)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)冠咬合面磨耗較輕, 可能(neng)代(dai)表(biao)著(zhu)年(nian)(nian)輕個(ge)體(ti)外, 其余4枚牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)磨耗均(jun)較嚴重, 屬于壯年(nian)(nian)以(yi)上的(de)個(ge)體(ti). 初步(bu)觀(guan)察顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)下(xia)頜門齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)舌側面呈(cheng)明顯(xian)(xian)的(de)鏟(chan)形(xing), 但無常見于直立人(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)結節和指狀突. 與迄今在中國境(jing)內發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)古人(ren)(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)測(ce)量數據對(dui)比, 黃(huang)龍洞(dong)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸比以(yi)周口店為(wei)代(dai)表(biao)的(de)直立人(ren)(ren)(ren)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)要(yao)小, 處在晚(wan)期智(zhi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)尺寸變異范圍之內. 結合洞(dong)穴時(shi)代(dai)、動(dong)物群及年(nian)(nian)代(dai)測(ce)試結果(guo)綜(zong)合分析(xi), 在黃(huang)龍洞(dong)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)類(lei)牙齒(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)代(dai)表(biao)著(zhu)晚(wan)期智(zhi)人(ren)(ren)(ren),建議簡稱“鄖西人(ren)(ren)(ren)”。
試掘(jue)共發現古(gu)人(ren)類制作和(he)使(shi)(shi)用的(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)及其副產(chan)品22件(jian)(jian)(jian). 這些人(ren)工(gong)(gong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制品多(duo)為(wei)古(gu)人(ren)類制作石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質工(gong)(gong)具(ju)所(suo)產(chan)生(sheng)的(de)斷塊(kuai)和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian). 經加工(gong)(gong)成(cheng)型的(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)包(bao)括刮(gua)削(xue)器(qi)(qi)、砍砸(za)(za)器(qi)(qi)、手鎬和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐. 刮(gua)削(xue)器(qi)(qi)共5件(jian)(jian)(jian), 是數量多(duo)的(de)器(qi)(qi)類, 原(yuan)料(liao)(liao)選用脈石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英和(he)燧石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi), 系將石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)薄(bo)銳的(de)邊緣(yuan)用石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘打制出(chu)(chu)鋒利(li)的(de)刃(ren)(ren)(ren)口, 以(yi)供(gong)(gong)刮(gua)削(xue)、切割之用. 手鎬3件(jian)(jian)(jian), 原(yuan)料(liao)(liao)為(wei)質地較粗的(de)粉砂巖、火山巖和(he)變質巖, 原(yuan)坯為(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)塊(kuai), 系將一端打制出(chu)(chu)突起而厚鈍的(de)尖(jian)(jian)刃(ren)(ren)(ren), 以(yi)利(li)挖掘(jue). 其中(zhong)2件(jian)(jian)(jian)制作精良、規范(fan), 在尖(jian)(jian)部(bu)從卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)原(yuan)有的(de)弧面上向一面加工(gong)(gong)成(cheng)可(ke)供(gong)(gong)使(shi)(shi)用的(de)尖(jian)(jian)刃(ren)(ren)(ren), 相對一端則敲(qiao)(qiao)打變鈍, 適(shi)宜抓握, 持握手中(zhong)舒適(shi)而適(shi)用. 石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錐只有1件(jian)(jian)(jian), 用脈石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)英石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)制成(cheng), 加工(gong)(gong)出(chu)(chu)的(de)兩條薄(bo)銳的(de)刃(ren)(ren)(ren)緣(yuan)交匯成(cheng)龜首(shou)狀的(de)短而鈍的(de)尖(jian)(jian)刃(ren)(ren)(ren). 1件(jian)(jian)(jian)砍砸(za)(za)器(qi)(qi)系用碧玉裂片(pian)制成(cheng), 在多(duo)個邊緣(yuan)有加工(gong)(gong)和(he)使(shi)(shi)用的(de)痕跡, 修整隨(sui)意、粗糙. 此(ci)外, 1件(jian)(jian)(jian)原(yuan)型為(wei)卵石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘上出(chu)(chu)現一個集中(zhong)分(fen)布細碎(sui)疤(ba)痕的(de)凹陷(xian)區域, 顯系砸(za)(za)擊(ji)生(sheng)產(chan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)敲(qiao)(qiao)砸(za)(za)堅(jian)果所(suo)致; 幾件(jian)(jian)(jian)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片(pian)和(he)斷塊(kuai)上有不規律的(de)疤(ba)痕, 應是未(wei)經加工(gong)(gong)而偶爾被作為(wei)工(gong)(gong)具(ju)使(shi)(shi)用的(de)結果。
目(mu)前(qian)(qian)該(gai)遺址出土(tu)的(de)(de)人工石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品還(huan)很少, 因而難窺古(gu)人類的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)技(ji)術全貌. 從(cong)有限(xian)的(de)(de)材料來看, 古(gu)人在(zai)此采用(yong)了兩種技(ji)術剝離(li)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片、生(sheng)產(chan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi), 即(ji)錘(chui)(chui)擊法和砸擊法. 前(qian)(qian)者(zhe)(zhe)在(zai)中(zhong)(zhong)國舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)時代被廣泛(fan)采用(yong), 而后者(zhe)(zhe)多(duo)出現在(zai)北方的(de)(de)遺址中(zhong)(zhong). 該(gai)地點石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)加工多(duo)簡單(dan)、粗(cu)糙, 采用(yong)礫石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)作(zuo)原(yuan)料者(zhe)(zhe)占較大的(de)(de)比例, 一(yi)些石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品粗(cu)大, 顯(xian)示南方礫石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品的(de)(de)鮮明(ming)特點; 但加工成(cheng)型的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)多(duo)為個體較小、以石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片作(zuo)毛坯的(de)(de)刮削器(qi)(qi)(qi), 加之(zhi)砸擊技(ji)術的(de)(de)采用(yong), 使該(gai)遺址的(de)(de)文(wen)化(hua)面貌又兼有中(zhong)(zhong)國北方的(de)(de)舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)文(wen)化(hua)風格, 顯(xian)示一(yi)種交融、過渡的(de)(de)屬性. 石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)錘(chui)(chui)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)片、斷(duan)塊的(de)(de)存(cun)在(zai)表(biao)明(ming)古(gu)人類在(zai)遺址中(zhong)(zhong)從(cong)事過制(zhi)作(zuo)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)的(de)(de)活動(dong), 而部分伴生(sheng)動(dong)物化(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)上出現鋒利(li)的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)刃口切割留下的(de)(de)條痕(hen), 說(shuo)明(ming)古(gu)人曾在(zai)洞中(zhong)(zhong)使用(yong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi), 消費過動(dong)物食(shi)物資源, 進而證明(ming)黃龍(long)洞是一(yi)處史前(qian)(qian)人類生(sheng)產(chan)、生(sheng)活和消費的(de)(de)場(chang)所, 即(ji)所謂洞穴之(zhi)家。
宋人(ren)(ren)樂(le)史在其地理名著《太平寰宇記(ji)·山(shan)南西(xi)道·商州·上(shang)津(jin)縣載(zai):“千人(ren)(ren)穴在縣東七十里,穴口高闊三(san)丈(zhang),深二百步,可容千人(ren)(ren),中(zhong)有石暗凝若乳,味(wei)甘治疾,常有石燕、鳥群,飛出入其中(zhong)。”這(zhe)是目(mu)前已知古籍中(zhong)最早記(ji)載(zai)黃龍洞(dong)的。明(ming)代《鄖(yun)臺志》載(zai):“黃龍山(shan),山(shan)下(xia)有洞(dong),禱(dao)雨多(duo)應”。
2004年5月, 在(zai)為配合(he)高速公路建(jian)設(she)進行的(de)(de)文物調(diao)查(cha)中(zhong), 本文第一(yi)作者在(zai)湖(hu)北省鄖西縣黃龍洞發現了哺乳動(dong)物化(hua)石. 在(zai)6~8月和11~12月兩(liang)次(ci)試掘中(zhong), 共有5枚(mei)人類(lei)牙齒(chi)化(hua)石、20余(yu)件石制品和大量動(dong)物化(hua)石被發掘出土. 初步動(dong)物群分析、石制品研究和年代測定顯示這是一(yi)處更(geng)新(xin)世晚(wan)(wan)期古人類(lei)遺址, 對研究中(zhong)國及東亞地區更(geng)新(xin)世晚(wan)(wan)期人類(lei)演化(hua)和現代智人起源具(ju)有非常重要(yao)的(de)(de)價值。