Prehistoric human hand-footprints on the central tibetan plateau after the post last glacial maximum

Abstract

Abstract: The adaptation and survival of prehistoric humans in the alpine and hypoxic environment of the Tibetan Plateau is the focus of multidisciplinary research. As an important prehistoric human hand-footprints site for the study of prehistoric human activities on the Tibetan Plateau, Quesang site has witnessed prehistoric human arrivals in the area at least twice, which occurred in the Middle Pleistocene, about 200ka and the early Holocene, about 7.2ka. The early and middle Holocene hand-footprints are distributed on the spring deposits near the modern active hot springs, which are distributed downstream along both sides of the gully. During a recent field investigation, we found a series of prehistoric human footprints and trampling marks on the travertine in the middle and lower reaches of the active spring. Through the stratigraphic and geomorphological analysis of travertine deposit, 3D modeling and morphological study of hand-footprints, as well as U-Th and OSL dating of hand and foot prints and strata, we have obtained the following results: Modern active hot springs were formed after 18ka, and a large amount of travertine was deposited near the spring mouth, on both sides and downstream of the gully. The newly discovered footprints and trampling marks are distributed on the middle and lower travertine sedimentary fans of the gully, which are formed in ~ 8.8ka and ~ 14ka, respectively. In the extremely cold and anoxic environment of the Tibetan Plateau, Quesang hot spring is undoubtedly a very attractive survival resource, attracting ancient humans to patronize here frequently for a long time. The discovery of hand-footprints also provides new evidence for the expansion and occupation of prehistoric humans on the Tibetan Plateau.Keywords：Post Last Glacial Maximum, hand-footprints, travertine, Quesang spring, prehistoric human activities