PEKING MAN Meaning and
Definition
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Peking Man refers to a significant paleoanthropological discovery made in the 1920s and 1930s in the suburbs of Beijing, China. It initially referred to a set of fossilized remains representing Homo erectus, an ancient human species that lived approximately 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. Peking Man is renowned for shedding light on human evolution and offering invaluable insights into our ancestors' behavior and physical characteristics.
The fossils were first discovered in Zhoukoudian (now part of the city of Beijing) by Swedish paleontologist Johan Gunnar Andersson and later by Chinese archaeologist Pei Wenzhong. These remains include several skullcaps, teeth, and bones, providing a crucial understanding of the anatomical features, brain size, and dentition of Homo erectus.
The discovery of Peking Man played a significant role in confirming the existence of ancient hominins in East Asia and their migration patterns, significantly contributing to the broader understanding of human evolution. It presented evidence that early humans reached beyond the African continent and established populations in different regions across the world. The fossils also displayed signs of cultural sophistication, such as the use of tools and fire.
However, during World War II, the original fossils mysteriously disappeared, and only casts and descriptions remain today. Peking Man's scientific importance remains, though, as it continues to provide researchers with essential data and remains a prominent symbol of our evolutionary heritage.
Common Misspellings for PEKING MAN
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Etymology of PEKING MAN
The word "Peking Man" refers to a group of fossils of extinct hominins discovered in the 1920s near Beijing (formerly known as Peking), China. The etymology of "Peking Man" can be traced back to the English colonial period in China, where 'Peking' was the common anglicized spelling for Beijing.
The term "Peking Man" was coined by the Swedish paleontologist Johan Gunnar Andersson, who led the initial excavations at Zhoukoudian, the site of the discovery. The fossils were initially described as "Sinanthropus pekinensis", which combined the Latin word "sinus" (meaning "China") with "anthropus" (meaning "human") and "pekinensis" (referring to Peking/Beijing).
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