What is now China was inhabited by Homo erectus more than a million years ago.[4] Recent study shows that the stone tools found at xiaochano[5] The archaeological site of Xihoudu Province is the earliest recorded use of fire by Homo erectus, which is dated 1.27 million years ago.[4] The excavations at Yuanmou and latershow early habitation. Perhaps the most famous specimen of Homo erectus found in China is the so-called Peking king discovered in 1923–27.
