Posted on 05/11/2011 1:45:00 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
"We know now that the sediments in the cave were laid down long, long before the last ice age, and that it's Paleolithic "Levalloisian" chert flakes, some of which have edges modified by "Mousterian" retouch are among the oldest of this kind not only in Europe but even in Africa, and are accompanied by an "Acheulian" hand-axe on a stone cobble," reports Michael Walker. "The entire 5-meter deep block of sediment in the cave belongs to the end of the early Early Pleistocene ( 2,588,000-781,000years ago) according to new optical sediment luminescence dating carried out at Oxford University in 2007 which points to an age of 650,000-900,000 years ago; and paleomagnetic research undertaken at the Berkeley Geochronology Center which points to an age no later than 780,000 years ago; and paleontological and paleopalynological research which suggest an age of about 900,000 years ago as very likely. This early date means that Cueva Negra's six early Neanderthal-size teeth are best seen as belonging to the Neanderthal precursor in Europe called Homo heidelbergensis".
(Excerpt) Read more at popular-archaeology.com ...
The Neandertal EnigmaFrayer's own reading of the record reveals a number of overlooked traits that clearly and specifically link the Neandertals to the Cro-Magnons. One such trait is the shape of the opening of the nerve canal in the lower jaw, a spot where dentists often give a pain-blocking injection. In many Neandertal, the upper portion of the opening is covered by a broad bony ridge, a curious feature also carried by a significant number of Cro-Magnons. But none of the alleged 'ancestors of us all' fossils from Africa have it, and it is extremely rare in modern people outside Europe." [pp 126-127]
by James Shreeve
in local libraries
25,000-year-old cave paintings discovered in SpainPaintings depicting horses and human hands made by prehistoric humans around 25,000 years ago have been discovered in a cave in northern Spain, regional officials said on Wednesday.
Reporting by Arantza Goyoaga
Writing by Sonya Dowsett
Editing by Michael Roddy
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The red paintings, found by chance by archaeologists looking for signs of ancient settlements, were made around the same time as the Altamira Cave paintings -- some of the world's best prehistoric paintings discovered in northern Spain in 1879.
"It was a chance finding," archaeologist Diego Garate told Reuters.
"Although they were difficult to spot because they are badly deteriorated, our experienced eye helped us to identify them."
Experts will further explore the caves for evidence of prehistoric utensils or tools, officials said.
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The caves in Spain yield mainly human remains.
A ‘pensive’ cave dude.
Today’s Union Leader.
Did he say the Neanderthal precursor in Europe was called Homo Hilldabeast?
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Looks like Mel Brooks http://www.forward.com/articles/12296/
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