The Mystery Of The 2,000,000 Year Old Human Remains | Mystery Of Our Ancestors | Timeline

The video script opens with a historical account of the Wushan Mountain in the Three Gorges region of Sichuan, China, which has been a focal point for archaeologists since 1921. The narrative introduces American paleontologist Walter Granger and his quest that marked a significant chapter in world archaeology. It then fast forwards to 1984, mentioning Chinese archaeologist Huan Wangbo's annual visits to the site. The intrigue is heightened by the mention of 'dragon bone,' which is revealed to be a term for fossils that hold the key to a 2-million-year-old mystery of human ancestry. The script also touches upon the cultural significance of dragons in Chinese folklore and the accidental archaeological discovery by Wang Yirong in 1899, which led to the identification of the earliest Chinese characters, the Carapace Bone Script from the Shang Dynasty.

The second paragraph delves into the historical excavations of dragon bone fossils, particularly the efforts by Walter Granger in the 1920s who established a base and excavated thousands of fossils. It transitions to the present, highlighting the History Hit network's focus on documentaries and podcasts about historical events and figures. The narrative then shifts to the local impact of foreign interest in these bones, leading to the destruction of valuable relics. It also mentions the discovery of 'Peking Man' in the 1930s and the subsequent mystery surrounding the lost skulls. The paragraph concludes with the arrival of a new archaeological team at Long Ping Village in 1984, led by Huang Wanbo, to continue the search for dragon bones.

Paragraph three describes the challenges faced by Huang Wanbo's team due to the extensive looting of dragon bones by locals. Despite the odds, the team, with the help of a local villager named Mujifu, uncovers significant findings. The narrative focuses on Huang's discovery of a tooth from a quadramana, or four-handed primate, which is identified as belonging to a giant ape. This discovery sets the stage for potentially rewriting the history of human evolution and introduces the formal excavation site at Long Guppo, where the team meticulously digs for fossils, leading to the discovery of the 'Wushan Old Lady,' an old female primate.

The fourth paragraph details the subsequent discovery of a tooth from a young female primate, named the 'Wushan Maiden,' and the subsequent research that describes the Wuxan Pythaganthrope. It emphasizes the importance of patience and meticulous work in archaeology, as well as the role of luck in discoveries. The paragraph also highlights the return of the archaeological team to Long Guppo and their collaborative efforts, which lead to the discovery of more fossils and the ongoing debate about whether these findings are human or ape.

In paragraph five, the focus is on how archaeologists estimate the age of the Wushan Pithecanthrope using stratum conditions and advanced dating methods like Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) tests. The narrative describes the skepticism of some academics, including Russell Sierchon, and the collaborative research that eventually leads to the fossils being dated to approximately 2.4 million years old. The paragraph also discusses the discovery of various mammal fossils and the implications for understanding the ancient environment of the site.

Paragraph six explores the debate on whether the Wushan Pithecanthrope was human or ape, emphasizing the need for further fossil evidence to resolve the issue. It discusses the discovery of stone artifacts that suggest early human tool use, which could prove the Wushan Pithecanthrope's humanity. The narrative also describes the excavation methods and the analysis by Professor Lanpo, as well as the surprise of French archaeologist Professor Eve Kopa at the findings, which are indicative of a unique early stone artifact industry and culture.

The seventh paragraph details the change in excavation strategy at Longupo, focusing on finding stone artifacts, which leads to numerous discoveries. It also introduces the French archaeologist Professor Eric Boeda and the new excavation methods he suggests. The narrative highlights a significant find of animal limb bones arranged in an unusual manner, suggesting a possible site of prehistoric human activity. The paragraph also discusses the discovery of stone artifacts and flakes associated with these bones, indicating their simultaneous origin.

Paragraph eight describes the archaeological findings that help build a picture of the environment inhabited by Wushan Homo. It discusses the discovery of limb bones from large herbivores and the absence of other bone types, raising questions about their cause of death and the nature of the site. The narrative also explores the possible hunting methods of prehistoric humans and the development of a hunter-gatherer society, emphasizing the importance of thinking and cooperation in hunting, which are crucial for the birth of ideology and culture.

The final paragraph addresses the ongoing debate and unresolved questions surrounding the Wushan Homo, such as why they left their habitat and their possible migration. It draws parallels with the discovery of 'Lucy' in East Africa and the opportunity these findings provide to imagine the lives of our ancient ancestors. The narrative concludes with the significance of the Longupo dragon bones as a glimpse into our ancient past and a part of our collective heritage, while acknowledging the ongoing international scientific debate about human origins.