A new analysis of fossils found in a Spanish cave suggests Neanderthals were capable of abstract thought, before any interactions with Homo sapiens.
  • jordanlund@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    3 days ago

    Yesterday I learned about Bruniquel Cave in France.

    Neanderthals broke off stalagmites and stalactites and used them to create a structure in a cave almost 200,000 years ago.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruniquel_Cave

    “The artificial ring structures made of broken stalagmites now have been dated by uranium series dating as 176.5 (±2.1) thousand years old, with 2σ uncertainties (95.5% probability). There are two annular structures, one 6.7 by 4.5 metres (ellipse major/minor axes), and the other 2.2 by 2.1 metres (ellipse major/minor axes), composed of one to four aligned layers of stalagmites, with some small pieces placed inside the layers to support them. Some stalagmites were placed vertically against the rings, possibly as reinforcement. There are also four stacks of stalagmites measuring between 0.55 and 2.60 metres in diameter, two of which were inside the large ring and two outside it. Approximately 400 stalagmite pieces (called “speleofacts” by the researchers) were used in the construction of the structure, with a total length of 112.4 metres and weight of approximately 2.2 tons.”

    • Tarnport@mastodon.green
      3·
      2 days ago

      @jordanlund @fossilesque I live nearby and am thrilled to see interest in this place. I feel compelled to show the other side of the château, which is far more dramatic. The medieval village has nothing do with the grotto, except that the site has been occupied by “people” since before people were homosapiens, so history is layered thick. The hillsides facing the village from the south are dotted with prehistoric dolmans. These views are from roughly north looking back at the defensive cliffs.

    • grrgyle@slrpnk.netEnglish
      6·
      3 days ago

      Not sure if Wikipedia article excludes pictures intentionally, but they can be found under references here. For example:

      person standing in large well lit cave in the centre of a circle of broken stalagmites

  • Squorlple@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    3 days ago

    That means these fossilized sea creatures were most likely collectibles, deliberately gathered by the ancient hominins for some purpose besides essential utility.

    Funko Pop strikes again. Poor caveman Grog never was able to track down that ultra rare ammonite to complete his collection

  • Butterbee (She/Her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
    6·
    3 days ago

    This feels like a “water is wet” discovery but it’s still great to see more evidence of prehistoric cultures since we know very little of how ancient humans thought and what they valued.