Recent finds in Anhui Province, eastern China, (Renzi Cave) is yielding animal bones and possible stone tools showing that Homo erectus may have established itself here 2.25 million years ago, more than 400,000 years earlier than previously thought.

A growing number of sites suggests great antiquity for humans and close ancestors in East Asia. The finds suggests an evolution of H. erectus in China parallel to that already observed in Africa.

Some 3,000 bones of animals from among nearly 60 species show that the Renzi Cave was open briefly between 2.5 and 2 million years ago.

The most exciting evidence is about 50 stones and bones fractured to make flakes and scrapers. Early hominins apparently descended into the fissure to butcher the animals that fell in.

The skeletons of a mastodon and a tapir, both victims of falls, were found together in the dig's lower levels. The mastodon bones lie piled along one wall, while the tapir remains seem to have been laid out for butchering; tools were found scattered about.

Some of the Chinese jaw fragments seems to share some features with earliest Homo in East Africa - suggesting a direct link between Africa and East Asia about 2 million years ago.