Paleolithicc. 2 million–10,000 years ago

Paleolithic: Timeline of Events (c. 2 million–10,000 years ago)

People made chipped stone tools and lived by gathering and hunting

Events in this period

• Yuanmou Manc. 1.7 million years ago

  Fossils of Homo erectus found at Yuanmou in Yunnan date to about 1.7 million years ago and are the earliest confirmed human remains in China.

• Peking Manc. 700,000–200,000 years ago

  Peking Man of Dragon Bone Hill at Zhoukoudian lived c. 700,000–200,000 years ago, walked upright, made chipped stone tools, and learned to use and keep fire.

• Upper Cave Manc. 30,000 years ago

  Upper Cave Man, c. 30,000 years ago, looked much like modern humans, polished and drilled objects, sewed clothes with bone needles, made fire, and wore ornaments.