Lithic technology at Banjingzi Locality 1: Implications for the Middle Paleolithic in northern China

The “Middle Paleolithic” in China has been a topic of contention over the past two decades. Banjingzi Locality 1 (BJZ1) in Hebei province, dated to 108–74 ka BP, has yielded abundant archaeological remains and is interpreted as a significant North Chinese Middle Paleolithic site. This paper focuses on the BJZ1 lithic assemblage, based primarily on materials collected in 2015, with emphasis on raw material utilization, core reduction, and tool manufacture. Stone artifacts from BJZ1 exhibit attributes typical of small flake tool assemblages commonly found in northern China. Various local raw materials were used, with Zhoujiashan chert being extensively exploited for the first time in the Nihewan Basin. Cores were reduced using both unifacial (test cores, casual cores) and bifacial (partial bifacial cores and discoidal cores) methods. Some nuclei exhibit simple preparation of platforms and flaking surfaces. Small and thin flakes were retouched into discrete forms. The dominant tools at BJZ1 comprise a spectrum of scrapers including side, transverse, double, and convergent varieties, along with denticulates, notches, and borers. These tools were mainly made on flakes, chunks, and a few small pebbles, with the majority exhibiting fine retouch. Comparative study demonstrates that the stone artifacts from the Xujiayao-Houjiayao, Lingjing, BJZ1, and Youfangbei sites exhibit notable differences in both core reduction and tool manufacture, reflecting a variety of lithic industries. This study provides new insights into the Middle Paleolithic of China and contributes to revealing the diversity of lithic technology from the late Middle Pleistocene to the early Late Pleistocene in northern China.