How do cavemen live in modern China?

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

It is difficult to imagine, but even in our highly developed time in all respects, there is a unique settlement on earth, which is hidden in a real cave. Moreover, in this huge shelter, located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, about a hundred people live under one stone vault. What made the villagers retire to such an extent and how did they manage to organize their life?

Even in the distant prehistoric times, caves for people and wild animals were the most comfortable and safe shelter from any bad weather. But after so many centuries, it is difficult to imagine that people would prefer living in such conditions to comfortable houses.

But not everything is so simple when it comes to the mountainous province of Guizhou - one of the poorest regions in China. Given the very difficult situation with the lack of suitable for the construction of full-fledged housing and cultivation of land, people have found a way out of the situation in a very unusual way for modern times.

And these are not savages or aborigines, and they do not wear skins and do not throw themselves at aliens - this is a completely civilized community that is forced to live in cave conditions.

It is the only settlement in the world that permanently resides in the Zhongdong Natural Cave, and it is located high in the mountains at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, there is still no road to the village, so you can get to it only along a steep slope, spending a lot of time and effort.

It is noteworthy, but the area of the cave itself is so huge that it was possible to organize several streets in it, on which dozens of huts and various sheds for pets and not only were built. Naturally, all the benefits were created by people who have lived here since ancient times and not indifferent people.

Local authorities came here with only one purpose - to check how their basic law "one family - one child" is being implemented and acted only within the framework of this prescription. Only a philanthropist could take care of improving living conditions, which local residents still remember with gratitude.

Once a businessman from Minnesota, Frank Beddor, came to such an exotic village, who decided to help the inhabitants abandoned to their fate. He managed to organize the supply of electricity, the construction of a bathhouse, a school and a children's basketball court, naturally at his own expense. All these benefits became a reality only in 2002, and life became more fun, because even television appeared, and the children were able to study at home, and not live for months in boarding schools.

Also, the businessman gave people thoroughbred cattle, bought good seeds, because the villagers on the slopes of the mountains tried to cultivate fields, as well as more modern tools and agricultural machinery.

Unfortunately, after the government announced in 2011 that China was not a cave country, the school was simply closed. By that time, their patron had already died, and there was no one to help defend their right to a full-fledged education.

But even such a harsh measure did not force the villagers to leave such an extraordinary dwelling, now students of all ages have to go every day to a neighboring village, which is located two hours' walk from Zhongdong, so as not to find themselves within the walls of the boarding school again. After all, therefore, a directive was issued for children over 5 years old to be sent to boarding schools, but the inhabitants of the cave did not agree to such conditions.

Considering that there can be no work in such a settlement, adults are engaged in cattle breeding and once a week they go to the market in the nearest town, located 15 kilometers from the cave. There they sell meat and milk, as well as various baskets, captive furniture and original handicrafts.

The village also earns a little money on tourists, who are drawn like a magnet to see how modern hermits live. Although the residents themselves do not consider themselves as such, they are not a closed society and gladly accept new residents, if any appear. And also young people can leave the village without problems, leaving for big cities in search of a new life.

Local authorities still insist that the people move to a farm, allegedly built for them 10 years ago, not far from their cave. They even promised a lot of money to settle in a new place, about 9 thousand dollars, but those who nevertheless decided to move there eventually regretted it. They argue that the built houses are absolutely not suitable for habitation, and the native walls are nevertheless closer and more comfortable.

The remaining inhabitants are not going to change their cave for any benefits of civilization, the only thing that they demand from the authorities is to lead a road to it in order to facilitate the path and shorten the time to get to nearby settlements.

And recently the flow of tourists has intensified, which means that the well-being of the village should improve. And since the authorities have not deigned to pave the road for so many decades, the elders hope they can now raise enough money to pay for the highway themselves.

Although for many of us such an existence seems absolutely unacceptable due to remoteness from civilization, the cave dwellers are quite satisfied with just such isolation and detachment from the vain world.