1937 after the lugouqiao incident, the Japanese invaded Beijing, but because the union medical college hospital was an institution controlled by the United States at that time, Peking man fossils were still "safe" in this "safe".
By 194 1, Japan-US relations have become increasingly tense. In order to prevent the "Peking man" fossil from being taken away by Japan, the head of the Union Medical College Hospital decided to send the fossil to the United States temporarily. At that time, there were not only "Peking man" skull fossils, but also some precious fossils such as "Neanderthals" and monkeys.
1941At the beginning of February, the fossils in two large wooden boxes were handed over to the US Marine Corps, which was about to leave Beijing and withdraw to the United States. On February 5, 65438, the unit left Beijing by train for Qinhuangdao, where it was planned to take the American ship "President Harrison" which was expected to arrive in Hong Kong on the 8th.
Coincidentally, the Pearl Harbor incident broke out on February 8, 65438, and the Japanese army quickly dispatched and occupied the relevant institutions of the United States in Beijing, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and other places. Since then, the whereabouts of the skull of "Beijingers" are unknown.
The disappearance of "Peking man" skull fossils once again shocked the world as it was just discovered.
It is unknown where the skull fossils of "Beijingers" are.