Zhoukoudian is often cited for its human remains and the early evidence of
fire. Yet, since its first excavations over 70 years ago, detailed studies
of processes responsible for the accumulation anthropogenic and geogenic se
diments in the site have been sparse. This paper provides some details of s
ite formation processes mainly through field observations of the extant sec
tion at Locality 1, and the use of soil micromorphology and Fourier Transfo
rm Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) analyses of the sediments. Samples from Lay
ers 10 through 3 show extensive water deposition of fine silt-sized materia
l (reworked loess), including fine-grained organic matter. The dark organic
-rich unit in Laver 10-often cited as one of the earliest evidence of fire-
is a water-laid accumulation. Much of the fine-grained sediment was derived
from outside Locality 1, implying that the site was open to varying extent
s throughout most of its depositional history. The 4-6 in accumulation of "
ashes" in Layer 4 represents subaerial water-laid silt deposits derived fro
m the loess-covered hillslopes surrounding the site. They presumably accumu
lated in an open depression that formed after the collapse of the brecciate
d roof deposits represented by Layer 6. Diagenesis is present in many of th
e Layers, and is exemplified by calcite precipitation and dissolution, and
localized apatite (dahllite) replacement of calcite. In Layer 4 diagenesis
is more advanced, including calcite/dahllite precipitation, subaerial weath
ering of the loess and associated precipitation of hematite, alteration of
clay and the neoformation of quartz. Many of our conclusions concur with th
ose of Teilhard de Chardin & Young published over 70 years ago. (C) 2001 Ac
ademic Press.