Peking Man
Peking Man, an early form of human whose remains date from 460,000 to 230,000 years ago. In 1927 Davidson Black, a Canadian anatomist, announced the discovery of a previously unknown type of prehistoric human—later known as Peking Man—on the basis of a tooth found in a cave at Zhoukoudian, a town near Beijing (Peking), China. Excavations at the cave, 1927–37, revealed remains of some 45 individuals, which were intensively studied by the German anatomist Franz Weidenreich. These remains were lost during World War II, but plaster casts of them exist. Since the war, other remains of Peking Man have been found.
Peking Man stood erect, made stone tools, and used fire. A heavy brow ridge and large teeth were distinguishing characteristics.
Peking Man was originally classified as Sinan-thropus pekinensis. Peking Man is now classified as Homo erectus pekinensis.