Nihewan

Located in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, Nihewan is one of China's earliest discovered and systematically excavated Paleolithic site clusters. It also stands as the most densely distributed and chronologically continuous Paleolithic site group in East Asia, documenting critical histories of Earth's evolution and biological (particularly human) development from the Late Neogene to the Quaternary period.

The Nihewan strata contain abundant fossils of ancient mammals, such as Hipparion (three-toed horse), Coelodonta antiquitatis (woolly rhinoceros), Smilodon (saber-toothed tiger), Megaloceros (giant deer), and Mammuthus trogontherii (steppe mammoth). These fossils provide invaluable materials for studying the evolution of Cenozoic fauna in northern China. With nearly 400 identified sites, Nihewan establishes a cultural sequence of ancient human evolution spanning approximately 2 million to 10,000 years in northern China.

About the Exhibition

This exhibition aims to enhance public understanding of geology, paleoenvironmental studies, paleontology, and paleoanthropology by showcasing Nihewan's million-year legacy of human activity. It also seeks to promote scientific literacy and cultural heritage preservation. Through a combination of artifacts, display panels, and interactive exhibits—including over 200 stone tools, paleontological fossils, and reconstructed site models—alongside multimedia installations, the exhibition vividly introduces Nihewan's archaeological and paleontological significance. It systematically presents relevant scientific advancements and recent discoveries, offering a comprehensive display of the Nihewan site cluster's profound cultural richness and unique scientific value.

Date: from 8 March to 11 May 2025 

Venue: Natural History Museum of China