1. Paleontological Institute, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China;
2. Key Laboratory for Evolution of Past Life in Northeast Asia, Ministry of Land and Resources(Shenyang Normal University), Shenyang 110034, China

In recent years, many fossil vertebrates, including feathered dinosaurs, have been discovered at Nanshimenzi village, Gangou Town, Qinglong County, Hebei Province, China. A geological section including the fossil-bearing strata was measured at Nanshimenzi, to determine the exact geological age and sedimentary characteristics of the section, and a new lithostratigraphic unit was named as the Nanshimenzi Bed. The Nanshimenzi Bed is about 56.6 m in thickness, mainly consisting of gray sandstones and siltstones and containing fossil vertebrates and several coal streaks. On the basis of survey and comparison, the Nanshimenzi Bed should be assigned to Tiaojishan Formation and probably to the upper part of the formation.

Supported by projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41172026, 41688103) and Education Bureau Foundation (LR2012038) of Liaoning Province.