52 giant panda fossils found in Asia's longest cave

52 Giant Panda Fossils Discovered in Asia’s Longest Cave, Shuanghe, China

Analysis:

1. Discovery Details:
   • A total of 52 giant panda fossils were found in Shuanghe Cave, Suiyang County, Guizhou Province, China.
   • Six of these fossils were uncovered during the most recent scientific expedition.
   • The site now holds the world’s largest number of giant panda fossils.
2. Scientific Significance:
   • Fossils indicate that giant pandas lived in Guizhou from around 100,000 years ago to a few hundred years ago, providing a nearly continuous chronological record.
   • Teeth analysis suggests most pandas were subadult or new adult individuals.
   • Limb bones and skulls allow study of evolutionary changes, showing that giant pandas reached maximum body weight in the Middle Pleistocene and gradually decreased to current levels.
3. Cave Significance:
   • Shuanghe Cave has a total length of 439.7 km, making it the longest cave in Asia and the third-longest in the world.
   • The site has hosted 24 international joint scientific expeditions since the late 1980s, revealing numerous mammalian fossils, with giant pandas being most prominent.
4. Research Implications:
   • Offers insights into giant panda evolution, body size adaptation, and habitat continuity.
   • Enhances understanding of Pleistocene megafauna in southwest China.

Static Facts:

• Location: Shuanghe Cave, Suiyang County, Guizhou Province, China
• Fossils Discovered: 52 giant panda fossils
• Cave Length: 439.7 km (Asia’s longest, third-longest globally)
• Period Covered: ~100,000 years ago to a few hundred years ago
• Discovery Context: 24th International Cave Science Expedition
  
  Updated - 25 Oct 2025 ; 12: 23 PM | https://english.news.cn/