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Possible Neanderthal rock engraving in Gorham's Cave
Past Horizons ^ | September 3, 2014 | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Posted on 12/09/2014 5:04:47 PM PST by SunkenCiv

A study of a rock engraving discovered within Gorham's Cave in Gibraltar finds that the cross-hatched impression was likely created by Neanderthals and excluding the possibility of an unintentional or utilitarian origin, would represent Neanderthals' capacity for abstract expression.

Previously-discovered cave art has been exclusively attributed to modern humans, who arrived in Western Europe around 40,000 years ago. In July 2012, researchers discovered the abstract pattern engraved in the rock of Gorham's Cave which is located on the southeast face of the Rock of Gibraltar.

The cross-hatched pattern was overlain by undisturbed sediment in which Neanderthal artefacts had previously been discovered, suggesting that the engraving pre-dated the 39,000-year-old assemblage.

Intentional creation

Further geochemical analysis of the mineral coating on the engraved grooves suggests that the rock art was created before deposition of the overlying sediment. The authors took microphotographs of the tool marks within the engraving, compared the marks with experimental marks made with various tools, and determined that the abstract cave engraving was likely created intentionally by repeatedly passing a robust cutting tip over the rock in the same direction, and not by incidental cutting associated with other activities.

(Excerpt) Read more at pasthorizonspr.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: caveart; cavedrawings; cavepainting; cavepaintings; chatelperronian; gibraltar; godsgravesglyphs; gorhamscave; macroetymology; neandertal; neandertals; neanderthal; neanderthals; paleosigns
An team of researchers carrying out excavations in Gorham's cave uncovered a series of criss-crossing lines. Image: Stewart Finlayson

An team of researchers carrying out excavations in Gorham's cave uncovered a series of criss-crossing lines. Image: Stewart Finlayson

1 posted on 12/09/2014 5:04:47 PM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; decimon; 1010RD; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; ...
The Neandertal Enigma
by James Shreeve

in local libraries
"Frayer'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]


2 posted on 12/09/2014 5:07:04 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______________________Celebrate the Polls, Ignore the Trolls)
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To: SunkenCiv

I confess. It was me.


3 posted on 12/09/2014 5:12:20 PM PST by Klemper
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To: SunkenCiv

The painting is really a letter to the editor saying that the invention of fire is causing global warming...and if it does cause it, it is on the Tea Party. :-)


4 posted on 12/09/2014 5:13:16 PM PST by ExCTCitizen (I'm ExCTCitizen and I approve this reply. If it does offend Libs, I'm NOT sorry...)
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To: SunkenCiv

thanks for the post SunkenCiv!


5 posted on 12/09/2014 5:14:09 PM PST by txnativegop (Tired of liberals, even a few in my own family.)
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To: SunkenCiv

So easy, a caveman could do it.


6 posted on 12/09/2014 5:22:52 PM PST by kaehurowing
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To: SunkenCiv

It’s a # Mark!

Good, lord! It’s the first Twitterer!

Example of possible tweets:

# EVE She’s a babe, man!

# Me hungry! Think I’ll go kill me a....aaaah!

# What me worry?

# Those other Neanderthals are a bunch of stupid liberals.


7 posted on 12/09/2014 5:26:39 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: ExCTCitizen

“The painting is really a letter to the editor saying that the invention of fire is causing global warming......”
******************************************************************************************************
Yes, and the Neanderthal letter goes on to say that, to save the Earth, all Neanderthals are guilty of this fire caused Earth destruction and they have therefore agreed to ALL discontinue the practice of having Neanderthal babies.

And that’s the way it went; the Neanderthals died off and the Earth was saved.


8 posted on 12/09/2014 5:27:38 PM PST by House Atreides
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To: Klemper

“I confess. It was me.”

It looks like a gun. I hope they expelled you.


9 posted on 12/09/2014 5:31:07 PM PST by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: Beowulf9
Or....
10 posted on 12/09/2014 5:49:46 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: UCANSEE2

When they finished the game they ate the “X’s” and “O’s.”


11 posted on 12/09/2014 6:27:22 PM PST by clearcarbon
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