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Neanderthal 'artwork' found in Gibraltar cave


Mounting evidence suggests Neanderthals were not the brutes they were characterised as decades ago.

But art, a high expression of abstract thought, was long considered to be the exclusive preserve of our own species.

The scattered candidates for artistic expression by Neanderthals have not met with universal acceptance.

However, the geometric pattern identified in Gibraltar, on the southern tip of Europe, was uncovered beneath undisturbed sediments that have also yielded Neanderthal tools.

Details of the discovery by an international team of researchers has been published in the journal PNAS.

There is now ample evidence that Neanderthal intellectual abilities may have been underestimated. Recent finds suggest they intentionally buried their dead, adorned themselves with feathers, painted their bodies with black and red pigments, and consumed a more varied diet than had previously been supposed.

One of the study's authors, Prof Clive Finlayson, director of the Gibraltar Museum, said the latest find "brings the Neanderthals closer to us, yet again".

Continued on the link below...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28967746
moss Posted by moss
2nd September 2014ce

Comments (3)

Some researchers said
"the artifacts may not have been made by Neanderthals
but by modern humans."
Until the truth of that be known,
it is too soon to re write human history,
However 2001 in South Africa,
at a site called Blombos Cave,
is found 70,000 year old writing and art on
"two pieces of ochre rock decorated with geometric patterns."
The patterns could in no way be considered to be accidental
or anything other than deliberate.
Maybe the re write should have already began.
http://www.accessexcellence.org/WN/graphics/caveart.gif
Full article
http://www.accessexcellence.org/WN/SU/caveart.php
Nat Turner Posted by Nat Turner
3rd September 2014ce
"'Maybe the rewrite should have already began"

Hi, I expect that is true of anything written down, we are only as knowledgeable as the present time. Interesting article ;).
moss Posted by moss
3rd September 2014ce
Fascinating stuff Moss, thanks for posting. thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
5th September 2014ce
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