According to Sun Jun, an expert in underground structural mechanics, it is likely that the Longyou Grottoes were ancient cave dwellings.

"I think cave dwells is a possible purpose for Longyou Grottoes. Each of the caves may be a tribe, and that's why all of them are not linked together. Since all of them occupy a large area, the grottoes have to be tall as well, and thus the large caves provide the dwellers shelter and keep them away from rain, snow, coldness, strong sunshine, mosquitoes and beasts. Technically, it's very easy to have dug some doors to link the grottoes together, but they did not do that," said Sun.

Interestingly, there were once some cave dwellings on the Phoenix Hill according to some local seniors. With the clue, experts have indeed found a stone cave in a very secretive place of the mountain.

The cave had two floors originally. Though the clapboards and beams have long disappeared, the alcoves on the cave's wall to hold up the beams are still there. The cave has good lighting and sufficient ventilation.

Other stone cave dwellings have many similar features. For instance, the ancient cave dwellings in Yanqing County of Beijing, are also dry, warm, bright and ventilated.

However, by sharp contrast, Longyou Grottoes are much dimmer and wetter. The huge space also seems not necessary and suitable for human beings. What's more, it does not seem possible for Neolithic people to build such grand grottoes when the productive forces were very low.

(Author: Jeff)

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