遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)位(wei)于湖北(bei)省十堰市鄖西(xi)縣香口(kou)(kou)鄉(xiang)黃云鋪村,是(shi)舊(jiu)石器(qi)時代的古遺(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)。黃龍(long)(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)地(di)(di)理坐標為(wei)(wei) 110°13′04.3″E, 33°07′62.8″N, 海拔約(yue)(yue)601 m. 黃龍(long)(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)處(chu)于秦(qin)嶺(ling)東(dong)段(duan)南麓丘陵山(shan)地(di)(di), 發(fa)育(yu)于古生(sheng)界(jie)寒武系(xi)中(zhong)統岳家(jia)坪組的石灰巖(yan)地(di)(di)層, 該(gai)組地(di)(di)層在黃龍(long)(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)附近表現為(wei)(wei)黑色中(zhong)-薄層層狀泥(ni)質灰巖(yan)和含碳泥(ni)質灰巖(yan). 該(gai)區在地(di)(di)質構造上(shang)(shang)屬南秦(qin)嶺(ling)-印支(zhi)褶皺帶東(dong)段(duan), 地(di)(di)貌(mao)以中(zhong)、低山(shan)和盆地(di)(di)為(wei)(wei)主, 地(di)(di)勢起伏變化(hua)大, 山(shan)坡陡峻, 溝壑(he)縱(zong)橫(heng). 黃龍(long)(long)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)為(wei)(wei)大型(xing)管狀溶(rong)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)平(ping)面(mian)主軸近東(dong)北(bei)-西(xi)南向. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)原始寬度約(yue)(yue) 27.8 m, 高約(yue)(yue)11 m. 現初步探(tan)明洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)水(shui)(shui)平(ping)深度約(yue)(yue)400余米(mi)(未到盡(jin)頭), 寬度11~117 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)朝向東(dong)北(bei), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)前(qian)有發(fa)源(yuan)于秦(qin)嶺(ling)的大水(shui)(shui)河(漢江支(zhi)流), 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)高出河水(shui)(shui)約(yue)(yue)7.8 m. 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)前(qian)是(shi)順大水(shui)(shui)河發(fa)育(yu)的狹長平(ping)川, 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)后是(shi)綿(mian)延的黃龍(long)(long)山(shan)(主峰1277 m). 洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)內原生(sheng)堆(dui)積(ji)(ji)深厚(hou), 堆(dui)積(ji)(ji)物頂(ding)部普遍(bian)發(fa)育(yu)鈣板層. 堆(dui)積(ji)(ji)物在洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口(kou)(kou)處(chu)位(wei)置(zhi)較低, 向洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)里逐漸抬升, 與洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)穴(xue)頂(ding)部間(jian)距漸小. 堆(dui)積(ji)(ji)物結構簡單(dan), 自然(ran)分層較清楚, 自上(shang)(shang)而下可劃分為(wei)(wei)5層。
(1) 頂(ding)鈣板(ban)層(ceng): 乳白色或棕黃色, 大多結構致密、純(chun)凈, 局部不純(chun)凈者結構疏(shu)松. 在洞內分布(bu)比較普遍, 厚約2~ 28 cm;
(2) 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏土(tu)-砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)層(ceng)(ceng): 粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏土(tu)與砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)呈“同層(ceng)(ceng)異相”: 靠洞口的堆(dui)積(ji)為含黏土(tu)基質(zhi)的砂(sha)(sha)礫(li), 向洞內(nei)(nei)則(ze)砂(sha)(sha)礫(li)逐漸變少(shao)、礫(li)徑漸小, 在洞內(nei)(nei)深處(chu)轉(zhuan)變為粉砂(sha)(sha)質(zhi)黏土(tu). 洞內(nei)(nei)地(di)勢較高處(chu)該層(ceng)(ceng)缺失(shi). 無包含物. 厚(hou)1~201 cm;
(3) 紅(hong)色粉砂質黏土層(ceng): 層(ceng)內間(jian)續發育2層(ceng)薄鈣(gai)板, 鈣(gai)板呈局(ju)部(bu)、斷(duan)續發育, 棕黃(huang)色. 鈣(gai)板層(ceng)下方局(ju)部(bu)發育有孤立的石(shi)筍, 與鈣(gai)板層(ceng)無直(zhi)接連接. 本層(ceng)厚58~101 cm;
(4) 石灰(hui)巖風(feng)(feng)化物堆積(ji)層: 結構(gou)較松散, 主(zhu)要為石灰(hui)巖風(feng)(feng)化角礫和風(feng)(feng)化殘余黏土基質等. 無包含物, 厚(hou)41~66 cm;
(5) 棕紅色(se)粉砂質(zhi)黏土(tu), 結構較緊密, 無包含(han)物, 厚18~26 cm。
2013年5月 ,被(bei)國務院(yuan)核定公布為(wei)第七批全國重點(dian)文物保護單位(wei)。
黃龍洞(dong)出土動物化石1700余(yu)件(jian), 經初步鑒定(ding)為11目50種.
(1)靈(ling)長目(mu)(mu)﹕碩獼猴、獼猴、灰葉猴 (2) 十足目(mu)(mu)﹕重(zhong)石束腹(fu)(fu)蟹 (3) 無尾目(mu)(mu)﹕蛙 (4) 食(shi)蟲目(mu)(mu)﹕微尾、刺猬 (5) 翼手目(mu)(mu)﹕普(pu)氏(shi)(shi)蹄(ti)(ti)蝠(fu)(fu)、大(da)馬蹄(ti)(ti)蝠(fu)(fu)、馬鐵菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)(fu)、皮氏(shi)(shi)菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)(fu)、大(da)耳菊(ju)頭蝠(fu)(fu)、印(yin)度假吸吸血(xue)蝠(fu)(fu)、鼠耳蝠(fu)(fu)、白(bai)腹(fu)(fu)管鼻(bi)蝠(fu)(fu) (6) 兔形目(mu)(mu):鼠兔 (7) 嚙齒(chi)目(mu)(mu):苛南絨鼠、變異倉鼠、灰鼯(wu)鼠、紅(hong)白(bai)鼯(wu)鼠、赤腹(fu)(fu)松鼠、側紋巖松鼠、毛耳鼯(wu)鼠、華(hua)南豪(hao)豬、中華(hua)竹鼠 (8) 食(shi)肉目(mu)(mu)﹕云豹(bao)、最后鬣狗、豺、狼、豬獾、果子貍、大(da)熊貓巴氏(shi)(shi)亞種(zhong)、黑熊、柯氏(shi)(shi)西藏熊、華(hua)南虎、野貓 (9) 長鼻(bi)目(mu)(mu)﹕東(dong)方劍齒(chi)象(10) 奇蹄(ti)(ti)目(mu)(mu)﹕中國犀、基氏(shi)(shi)貝(bei)爾格犀、華(hua)南巨貘(11) 偶蹄(ti)(ti)目(mu)(mu):野豬、香麝、赤麂、獐(zhang)、水鹿、梅(mei)花鹿、青羊、羚(ling)羊、蘇門(men)羚(ling)。
該(gai)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群包(bao)含一定數量(liang)的(de)更新世絕滅(mie)種(zhong)(zhong)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu), 如(ru)碩獼猴、變異(yi)倉鼠、最后(hou)鬣(lie)狗(gou)、大熊貓巴(ba)氏亞種(zhong)(zhong)、柯氏西(xi)藏熊、東方劍齒象、中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國犀、華(hua)南(nan)(nan)巨貘等, 同時(shi)(shi)也(ye)有(you)較(jiao)多現生種(zhong)(zhong), 如(ru)云豹、豺、狼、豬獾、果子(zi)貍、野豬、水鹿(lu)、梅花鹿(lu)等。 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群組合具備更新世中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、晚期(qi)的(de)時(shi)(shi)代特(te)點(dian), 總體面(mian)貌(mao)表現出(chu)大熊貓-劍齒象動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群特(te)征(zheng)(zheng). 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群生態反映該(gai)遺址是以熱帶、亞熱帶森林(lin)環(huan)(huan)境(jing)景觀為(wei)主, 如(ru)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)發現有(you)低(di)地(di)密林(lin)、熱帶雨林(lin)以樹(shu)棲生活(huo)為(wei)主的(de)云豹、長綠闊葉林(lin)帶生活(huo)的(de)毛耳鼯鼠、及(ji)數量(liang)較(jiao)多的(de)菊頭蝠等. 菊頭蝠是典型的(de)森林(lin)性(xing)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu), 并(bing)且只在(zai)大片森林(lin)環(huan)(huan)境(jing)下適宜生存(cun), 因(yin)此又(you)被動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)學家稱為(wei)森林(lin)環(huan)(huan)境(jing)的(de)標志. 動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)也(ye)有(you)具山地(di)特(te)征(zheng)(zheng)的(de)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)和以秦(qin)嶺為(wei)分布(bu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)心(xin)的(de)區(qu)域性(xing)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu), 前者如(ru)蘇(su)門羚(ling)、青羊等. 后(hou)者如(ru)苛南(nan)(nan)絨鼠等. 黃(huang)龍洞動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)群反映出(chu)該(gai)遺址處于秦(qin)嶺南(nan)(nan)麓的(de)自然區(qu)位特(te)點(dian), 并(bing)且還表示中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國南(nan)(nan)北(bei)氣候分界線-秦(qin)嶺山區(qu)(高度)在(zai)黃(huang)龍洞古遺址時(shi)(shi)期(qi)已經(jing)具有(you)規模。
發(fa)現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)類牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)化石共(gong) 5 枚(mei), 分別為下(xia)頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)二或第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜(he)右(you)側(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)二臼齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)犬(quan)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、下(xia)頜(he)右(you)側(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)一或第(di)(di)(di)二門(men)(men)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)、上頜(he)左(zuo)側(ce)(ce)第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼齒(chi)(chi)(chi). 這些牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)呈白(bai)色或黃(huang)褐色, 有一定程(cheng)度的(de)(de)(de)石化. 除左(zuo)上頜(he)第(di)(di)(di)三(san)臼齒(chi)(chi)(chi)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)冠(guan)咬合(he)(he)面磨(mo)耗較輕(qing), 可(ke)能代(dai)表著(zhu)(zhu)年輕(qing)個體(ti)外, 其余4枚(mei)牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)磨(mo)耗均(jun)較嚴重(zhong), 屬于壯年以上的(de)(de)(de)個體(ti). 初步觀察顯示下(xia)頜(he)門(men)(men)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)舌側(ce)(ce)面呈明顯的(de)(de)(de)鏟形, 但無常(chang)見于直立人(ren)的(de)(de)(de)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)結節和指狀突(tu). 與(yu)迄今在(zai)中國境內發(fa)現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)古人(ren)類牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)測量數據對比, 黃(huang)龍洞牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)尺(chi)(chi)寸比以周口(kou)店為代(dai)表的(de)(de)(de)直立人(ren)牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)要小, 處在(zai)晚期(qi)智人(ren)牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)尺(chi)(chi)寸變異范圍之內. 結合(he)(he)洞穴時代(dai)、動(dong)物群及年代(dai)測試結果綜合(he)(he)分析, 在(zai)黃(huang)龍洞發(fa)現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)類牙(ya)(ya)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)代(dai)表著(zhu)(zhu)晚期(qi)智人(ren),建議簡稱“鄖西人(ren)”。
試掘共發現古人類(lei)制(zhi)作和(he)使(shi)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)及其(qi)副產品22件(jian). 這些人工石(shi)(shi)制(zhi)品多為(wei)古人類(lei)制(zhi)作石(shi)(shi)質工具(ju)所(suo)產生的(de)(de)(de)(de)斷(duan)塊(kuai)和(he)石(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian). 經加(jia)工成(cheng)型的(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)(qi)包括刮(gua)削器(qi)(qi)(qi)、砍(kan)砸器(qi)(qi)(qi)、手鎬和(he)石(shi)(shi)錐(zhui). 刮(gua)削器(qi)(qi)(qi)共5件(jian), 是數量(liang)多的(de)(de)(de)(de)器(qi)(qi)(qi)類(lei), 原料選用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)英和(he)燧石(shi)(shi), 系將(jiang)石(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)薄銳(rui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)邊緣用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)石(shi)(shi)錘(chui)(chui)打制(zhi)出(chu)鋒(feng)利的(de)(de)(de)(de)刃口(kou), 以供(gong)刮(gua)削、切(qie)割之用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong). 手鎬3件(jian), 原料為(wei)質地較粗的(de)(de)(de)(de)粉砂巖(yan)、火山巖(yan)和(he)變質巖(yan), 原坯(pi)為(wei)卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)塊(kuai), 系將(jiang)一(yi)端打制(zhi)出(chu)突起而厚鈍的(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃, 以利挖掘. 其(qi)中2件(jian)制(zhi)作精良、規范, 在尖(jian)部(bu)從(cong)卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)原有(you)(you)的(de)(de)(de)(de)弧(hu)面上(shang)向(xiang)一(yi)面加(jia)工成(cheng)可供(gong)使(shi)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃, 相對一(yi)端則敲打變鈍, 適宜(yi)抓握, 持握手中舒適而適用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong). 石(shi)(shi)錐(zhui)只有(you)(you)1件(jian), 用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)脈石(shi)(shi)英石(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)制(zhi)成(cheng), 加(jia)工出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)兩條(tiao)薄銳(rui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)刃緣交(jiao)匯成(cheng)龜首狀(zhuang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)短而鈍的(de)(de)(de)(de)尖(jian)刃. 1件(jian)砍(kan)砸器(qi)(qi)(qi)系用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)碧玉裂(lie)片(pian)(pian)制(zhi)成(cheng), 在多個邊緣有(you)(you)加(jia)工和(he)使(shi)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)痕跡, 修整隨意、粗糙. 此外, 1件(jian)原型為(wei)卵(luan)石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)錘(chui)(chui)上(shang)出(chu)現一(yi)個集中分布細碎疤痕的(de)(de)(de)(de)凹陷區域, 顯系砸擊生產石(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)和(he)敲砸堅果(guo)所(suo)致; 幾件(jian)石(shi)(shi)片(pian)(pian)和(he)斷(duan)塊(kuai)上(shang)有(you)(you)不規律的(de)(de)(de)(de)疤痕, 應是未經加(jia)工而偶爾(er)被作為(wei)工具(ju)使(shi)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)結果(guo)。
目前該(gai)(gai)遺(yi)址(zhi)出土的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)工(gong)石(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)還很少, 因而(er)難(nan)窺(kui)古人(ren)類(lei)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)器技(ji)術全貌. 從有限(xian)的(de)(de)(de)材料來看, 古人(ren)在(zai)(zai)此采用(yong)了(le)兩種(zhong)技(ji)術剝離石(shi)片、生產石(shi)器, 即錘(chui)擊法和(he)砸(za)擊法. 前者(zhe)在(zai)(zai)中(zhong)國舊(jiu)(jiu)石(shi)器時代被廣泛(fan)采用(yong), 而(er)后者(zhe)多出現在(zai)(zai)北方的(de)(de)(de)遺(yi)址(zhi)中(zhong). 該(gai)(gai)地點(dian)石(shi)器加(jia)工(gong)多簡單(dan)、粗(cu)糙, 采用(yong)礫(li)石(shi)作(zuo)原料者(zhe)占較大(da)的(de)(de)(de)比(bi)例, 一(yi)些石(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)粗(cu)大(da), 顯示南方礫(li)石(shi)石(shi)制(zhi)品(pin)的(de)(de)(de)鮮明特點(dian); 但加(jia)工(gong)成型的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)器多為個體較小、以石(shi)片作(zuo)毛(mao)坯的(de)(de)(de)刮(gua)削(xue)器, 加(jia)之砸(za)擊技(ji)術的(de)(de)(de)采用(yong), 使該(gai)(gai)遺(yi)址(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)文化(hua)面貌又兼有中(zhong)國北方的(de)(de)(de)舊(jiu)(jiu)石(shi)器文化(hua)風格(ge), 顯示一(yi)種(zhong)交融、過渡(du)的(de)(de)(de)屬性(xing). 石(shi)錘(chui)、石(shi)片、斷塊的(de)(de)(de)存在(zai)(zai)表明古人(ren)類(lei)在(zai)(zai)遺(yi)址(zhi)中(zhong)從事過制(zhi)作(zuo)石(shi)器的(de)(de)(de)活動, 而(er)部分伴(ban)生動物(wu)化(hua)石(shi)上出現鋒利(li)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)器刃口切割留下的(de)(de)(de)條痕, 說明古人(ren)曾在(zai)(zai)洞(dong)中(zhong)使用(yong)石(shi)器, 消費過動物(wu)食物(wu)資(zi)源(yuan), 進而(er)證明黃龍洞(dong)是(shi)一(yi)處史前人(ren)類(lei)生產、生活和(he)消費的(de)(de)(de)場所, 即所謂(wei)洞(dong)穴之家。
宋人(ren)(ren)樂(le)史在其地理名著《太平寰宇記·山南(nan)西道·商(shang)州·上津縣(xian)載:“千人(ren)(ren)穴(xue)在縣(xian)東七十里,穴(xue)口高闊三丈,深二(er)百(bai)步,可(ke)容千人(ren)(ren),中(zhong)有(you)(you)石暗凝若乳(ru),味(wei)甘治疾(ji),常有(you)(you)石燕、鳥群,飛出入(ru)其中(zhong)。”這是目前已知(zhi)古籍(ji)中(zhong)最早記載黃(huang)龍(long)洞(dong)的。明代《鄖臺志》載:“黃(huang)龍(long)山,山下有(you)(you)洞(dong),禱雨多(duo)應”。
2004年(nian)5月(yue), 在(zai)為配合高速公路建設(she)進行(xing)的文物調(diao)查中(zhong)(zhong), 本文第一(yi)作者在(zai)湖北省鄖(yun)西縣黃(huang)龍洞(dong)發(fa)現(xian)了哺乳(ru)動物化(hua)石(shi). 在(zai)6~8月(yue)和11~12月(yue)兩(liang)次(ci)試掘中(zhong)(zhong), 共有5枚人(ren)類(lei)(lei)牙齒化(hua)石(shi)、20余件石(shi)制品和大量動物化(hua)石(shi)被發(fa)掘出土. 初(chu)步動物群分析、石(shi)制品研究(jiu)和年(nian)代測定(ding)顯示這是(shi)一(yi)處更(geng)新世晚期古(gu)人(ren)類(lei)(lei)遺址, 對研究(jiu)中(zhong)(zhong)國及(ji)東亞地區更(geng)新世晚期人(ren)類(lei)(lei)演化(hua)和現(xian)代智人(ren)起源具有非常重(zhong)要的價值。