Ancient Giant Panda Fossils Discovered in Hanzhong, Shaanxi; Rarity in Preservation

Recently, giant panda fossils were discovered in a limestone cave in Chenggu County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. The fossils collected from the site show that the skull fossils are over 90% complete, while other skeletal fossils are about 70% complete.

Experts initially estimate that the fossils date back to the late Pleistocene epoch, approximately 200,000 to 10,000 years ago. This is the first discovery in Shaanxi Province of giant panda fossils with such a high degree of preservation, which holds significant scientific and educational value.

Ancient Giant Panda Fossils Discovered In Hanzhong Shaanxi

The fossils were found in a limestone cave about 180 meters from the cave entrance. The environment around the discovery site is dark and humid, with water continuously dripping from the ceiling above the fossils and a subterranean river below.

The giant panda skeleton is embedded in the limestone platform, exposing the rock surface. The fossils, covering an area of about 1 square meter, show secondary calcium carbonate deposits. Clear remains of the humerus, femur, vertebrae, and ribs, ranging from 3 to 20 centimeters in length, were found.

Experts have made preliminary hypotheses about why the fossils were found in such a deep cave. According to Zeng Zhongcheng, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Paleontology Fossil Protection and Research Center, there are two possibilities: the panda may have become lost and entered the cave, ultimately leaving fossils behind, or it could have fallen from a nearby small waterfall and been carried by the underground river to this location.

Ancient Giant Panda Fossils Discovered In Hanzhong Shaanxi 2

Based on the morphology of the skull, tooth structure, and sagittal crest development, experts tentatively identify the fossil as belonging to an adult giant panda, likely a female, measuring 30.2 cm in length, 17.3 cm in width, and 21.2 cm in height. This level of preservation is quite rare in China.

Hu Songmei, a member of the Shaanxi Provincial Paleontology Expert Committee, stated, “Previously discovered fossils were often isolated, such as single teeth or bones. This time, the giant panda fossils are quite complete, including a largely intact skull, metatarsals, vertebrae, and more. We aim to reconstruct a nearly complete skeleton.”

Once the fossil collection is completed, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Natural Resources will organize experts to conduct further protection and research using methods such as radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis.