Prehistoric Fossils in Shunzhou

During the Third National Cultural Heritage Survey in Yongsheng County, survey team members discovered prehistoric vertebrate fossils at a villager’s house in Hedong Village, Banqiao Village Committee, Shunzhou. This is the first discovery of such fossils within Lijiang City, providing extremely precious specimens for the research on ancient vertebrates in the Lijiang area.

The fossil is currently kept at Yu Rongchang’s residence in Hedong Village, Banqiao Village Committee. All the animal bones have fully fossilized. The preserved parts mainly include caudal vertebrae, partial vertebrae, ribs and femora, while the skull is missing. In particular, the caudal vertebrae are well preserved.

The whole rock weighs approximately three tons. It is 1.9 metres wide, 1.4 metres high and 0.85 to 1.10 metres thick, with an irregular shape. The fossilized animal remains measure 1.45 metres in height and 1.06 metres in width. The caudal vertebrae stretch 1.4 metres long. The first root caudal vertebra is 7 centimetres wide and 3.5 centimetres long, and the terminal caudal vertebra is 2.5 centimetres long and 1 centimetre wide.

Yu Rongchang said that he found the fossil nearly a year ago. The boulder lay on his mountain field. Two natural fissures split the rock into two pieces. By chance, he spotted the fossils embedded inside. Suspecting its cultural value, he fully separated the two rock slabs and transported the fossil-bearing piece home.