Re: Neanderthals v Humans | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Littlestone Oct 30, 2012 22:44:08

Replying to tiompan

I’m probably missing the obvious but how does the assumed demise of the Neanderthals equate with the end of the last (severe) ice age (in Britain). Neither seem to be clearly defined and we don't even seem to know for sure how far the last ice sheet stretched into southern Britain, how long Neanderthals might have lingered on there and perhaps interbred with Homo sapiens.

Just what might have been their legacy in the megalithic building arena – is it really that far-fetched to think that they were incapable of hauling big stones into a circle? They seem to be pretty good at other stone-working techniques so why not circles. And how old are our oldest circles – does anyone know? Does anyone know which are our oldest circles?

VBB Oct 31, 2012 06:46:50

Replying to Littlestone

Littlestone wrote:

I’m probably missing the obvious

Me too, but the prosthetics department are marvelous. I look a bit like a giant action man, but the only real downside is people trying to look through the back of my head.

tiompan Oct 31, 2012 11:20:25

Replying to Littlestone

Neanderthals were living in Britain prior to the onset of the last ice age . Latest dates for them in Europe is approx 24,000 BP but they are believed to be extinct in Britain by 30,000 BP , this may or may not have been due to the worsening climate or homo sap . If they had built open air monuments the Devensian glaciation would have destroyed them unless they were in the less megalithic areas free of ice in the south and south east .
There is no reason to believe they were incapable of building stone circles but there is no reason or evidence anywhere where they were found to believe they did .
The chronology between even accurately dated deposits and the building of a monument is not that straightforward . Most stone circles are unexcavated so much of the dating is based on association and typology .Those that have been excavated can provide dateable material that may help in more accurate dating particularly if there is a clear stratigraphic relationship between the monoliths and the interior as has been found at sites like the Clava cairns (which have stone circles ) , Temple Wood , some Aberdeenshire RSC 'S etc .
A date from the ditch at Stenness was 3100-3000 BC .