China's 30,000-year-old Paleolithic site severely damaged in several days

The Liuduiyu Paleolithic Site, which dates back about 30,000 years, is located in what is modern-day Liuduiyu Village, Zhaihuo Town, Bo'ai County in Henan Province.

The Paleolithic cultural relics are faintly visible in Liuduiyu village, and the caves and small pits where Paleolithic people lived are situated on the three-kilometer stretch between the river mouth in the south and the Dage Cave in the north.

These caves mostly face the sun, and there is a narrow and winding path leading to the Dashi River near the mountain. This is safe and convenient for hunting drinking, and living, and shows the wisdom of ancient people.

The Liuduiyu Paleolithic Site was included on the list of key provincial-level historical sites by the Henan provincial government in June 2008, and is now in the process of applying to become a key state-level historical site.

However, this site that deserves special protection is being damaged by unauthorized mining and bombing, and even the precious Longgu Cave discovered in 1959 was ravaged.

Two parts of the mountain are being damaged. One is the western ridge, where most parts have been destroyed since mining started in April this year. The other is the eastern peak, where the mining started a few days ago. The two parts are both in the core area of the Liuduiyu Paleolithic Site. The Longgu Cave on the eastern peak has already been ruined.

It turned out that the mountain is rich in iron ore and gangue, which contains alumina. The current market price of iron ore and gangue are around 300 yuan and 100 yuan per ton respectively.

The cultural heritage protection bureau, land and resources bureau, forestry bureau and a police station in Bo'ai County went to the Paleolithic site in June this year in order to stop the destruction, but the mining company had already hidden the excavating equipment before the joint law enforcement delegation arrived.

Just over 10 days later, the company resumed excavation and exploitation and threatened villagers by saying, "We have powerful connections in the government. Remember never ever meddle in our affairs."

Dahe.cn contributes to this article.

By People's Daily Online