Latest news with #Neanderthal-like
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Ancient Burial Discovery Might Redefine Our Past
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Archaeologists have uncovered what may be one of the world's oldest human burial sites, dating back around 100,000 years. The remains of five early humans—two complete skeletons and three skulls—were found deliberately arranged in burial pits deep inside Tinshemet Cave in central Israel. Researchers said the site provides rare and compelling evidence of organized funerary behavior during the Middle Paleolithic period, offering new insight into the early origins of ritual, custom, and possibly belief. Why It Matters The discovery significantly extends the timeline for intentional human burial, a behavior long viewed as a marker of symbolic thinking and social complexity. The careful positioning of bodies, combined with the presence of pigments and objects that served no practical function, suggests that early Homo sapiens may have developed ritual customs earlier than previously confirmed. Professor of Archaeology Yossi Zaidner works in Tinshemet Cave, where archaeologists are excavating one of the world's oldest known burial sites, dating back 100,000 years, near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. Professor of Archaeology Yossi Zaidner works in Tinshemet Cave, where archaeologists are excavating one of the world's oldest known burial sites, dating back 100,000 years, near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. Ariel Schalit/AP Photo What to Know Tinshemet Cave, excavated over the past decade, has revealed the remains of at least five individuals—Homo sapiens and Neanderthal-like hominins—each carefully laid to rest in shallow pits, curled in fetal positions and surrounded by hundreds of ceremonial objects. The consistent placement of the bodies suggests intentional burial, according to Yossi Zaidner, one of the site's excavation directors and a professor of archaeology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Early Discoveries Some of the most significant discoveries from Tinshemet Cave were published in March in Nature Human Behavior. Researchers identified the remains as early humans: two full skeletons and three isolated skulls, along with additional bones and teeth. They also documented over 500 fragments of red and orange ocher, each produced by heating iron-rich stones—a process thought to reflect early humans' capacity for symbolic or decorative creation. "Here we see a really complex set of behaviors, not related to just food and surviving," Zaidner told The Associated Press. Volunteers work in Tinshemet Cave near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. Volunteers work in Tinshemet Cave near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. Ariel Schalit/AP Photo Excavation 'Nails Down' Dates Tinshemet Cave is exceptionally important to archaeologists because the local climate preserved the bones, tools, and ornaments in good condition—unlike many other parts of the world where such items have been lost to time. Christian Tryon, a professor at the University of Connecticut and a research associate at the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution who was not involved in the study, said, "There were so many uncertainties with those sites, but this is confirming it's a pattern we know, and they're really nailing down the dates." Archaeologists said it will take many more years to fully excavate the site. Using hand chisels and pen-sized pneumatic drills resembling dental tools, researchers are proceeding with extreme care to protect the fragile finds. A volunteer scrapes away around remains in Tinshemet Cave near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. A volunteer scrapes away around remains in Tinshemet Cave near Shoam, Israel, on July 15, 2025. Ariel Schalit/AP Photo What People Are Saying Yossi Zaidner, an archaeologist and excavation co-director: "The skeletons were located in pits and arranged in a fetal position, recognized as a burial position." Christian Tryon, a professor at the University of Connecticut: "There were so many uncertainties with those sites, but this is confirming it's a pattern we know, and they're really nailing down the dates." What Happens Next With much of Tinshemet Cave still unexcavated, archaeologists expect many more years of fieldwork. As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
NDTV
13-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
140,000-Year-Old Skull Suggests Ancient Human-Neanderthal Hybrid: Study
Researchers shed new light on a skull, belonging to a young child, found almost 100 years ago in Skhul Cave on Mount Carmel in Israel. The skull, likely of a girl, was part of mysterious human remains found at a 140,000-year-old burial site. In a new study, published in the July-August issue of the journal L'Anthropologie, Anne Dambricourt Malasse at the Institute of Human Paleontology in France and her colleagues suggested that the skull, estimated to be 3-5 years old, could have been a cross between modern humans and Neanderthals. "This study is maybe the first that has put the Skhul child's remains on a scientific basis," John Hawks at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who wasn't involved in the new research, said as quoted by New Scientist. "The old reconstruction and associated work, literally set in plaster, did not really enable anyone to compare this child with a broader array of recent children to understand its biology." 140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced #archaeology #Anthropology #science #SciChat — Gary McFarlane (@GaryM) July 12, 2025 The middle section of the skull's face and a large part of the base were missing. Meanwhile, the rest was in pieces. The braincase shows modern features typical of Homo sapiens. The researchers found the mandible had distinct Neanderthal characteristics. The jaw was also more Neanderthal-like, with a lack of chin. When the remains were unearthed, scientists then consolidated the pieces with plaster in an attempt to put the skull back together, making it difficult to study. Now, the researchers used modern CT scanning techniques to get a new and detailed look, suggesting that the child might be a hybrid of modern humans and Neanderthals. However, others argue it's premature to conclude without DNA evidence. Some scientists believe the skull's features could represent variability within Homo sapiens rather than hybridisation. "Even if not 1st-generation hybrids, it's certainly possible that the Skhul fossils reflect some gene flow between the 2 populations," Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the study, told Live Science. "Overall though, looking at all the material, including the skeletons, the material still primarily aligns with Homo sapiens, in my view." If confirmed as a hybrid, it would imply that Neanderthals and modern humans interbred more extensively than previously thought. It would change our understanding of human evolution. Studies suggest there was cross-population gene flow between Neanderthals and humans around 100,000 years ago, which could have resulted in the mixed features observed in the Skhul child. "I have long thought that hybridisations were not viable and I continue to think that they were mostly abortive," says Malasse. "This skeleton reveals that they were nevertheless possible, even though this little girl lived only 5 years."
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Book Review: ‘Whack Job' tells the story of a simple survival tool turned murder weapon
From the murder of a Neanderthal-like man to the infamous Lizzie Borden, 'Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder' provides a sarcastic, witty and quirky look at the history of a rather simple tool often found at the scene of a crime: an axe. Rachel McCarthy James spends each chapter of 'Whack Job' detailing an instance where 'axe murder' has occurred, but for true crime fans the book might not make the cut. Instead of looking at the gory details and dramatizing events, James examines the social-economic, political issues and human nature that caused these individuals to befall their fate to an axe. As such, the book, while having a true crime element, is ultimately a history crash course on the axe's evolution — from a survival tool in 430,000 BCE to a modern-day weapon of murder. Still, this is what makes the book intriguing — even if, like me, you were hoping it would dive deeper into the axe murder itself. James has fun with the topic, describing what makes the axe the perfect weapon in each instance, keeping the true crime fan in me thoroughly engaged. A book such as this, focused on history and facts, could become tedious to a casual reader, but James knows how to disarm readers with properly timed humor and quippy theories. True crime fan or not, James' book is a great primer of 'axe murder' in all its shapes and forms ___ AP book reviews:
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Book Review: ‘Whack Job' tells the story of a simple survival tool turned murder weapon
From the murder of a Neanderthal-like man to the infamous Lizzie Borden, 'Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder' provides a sarcastic, witty and quirky look at the history of a rather simple tool often found at the scene of a crime: an axe. Rachel McCarthy James spends each chapter of 'Whack Job' detailing an instance where 'axe murder' has occurred, but for true crime fans the book might not make the cut. Instead of looking at the gory details and dramatizing events, James examines the social-economic, political issues and human nature that caused these individuals to befall their fate to an axe. As such, the book, while having a true crime element, is ultimately a history crash course on the axe's evolution — from a survival tool in 430,000 BCE to a modern-day weapon of murder. Still, this is what makes the book intriguing — even if, like me, you were hoping it would dive deeper into the axe murder itself. James has fun with the topic, describing what makes the axe the perfect weapon in each instance, keeping the true crime fan in me thoroughly engaged. A book such as this, focused on history and facts, could become tedious to a casual reader, but James knows how to disarm readers with properly timed humor and quippy theories. True crime fan or not, James' book is a great primer of 'axe murder' in all its shapes and forms Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP book reviews:
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Science
- The Independent
How the discovery of an ancient stone tool could rewrite human history
Neanderthal-like stone tools, made using the Quina method, have been discovered in China, challenging the conventional understanding of human evolution in East Asia. This discovery disputes the idea that the Middle Stone Age (between 300,000-30,000 years ago) was a period of stagnation in East Asia, while Europe and Africa saw significant advancements. A Quina stone scraper, thick and asymmetrical with a broad and sharp working edge, was found with clear signs of use and resharpening. Researchers are uncertain whether this technology was introduced to East Asia by westward migration or developed independently. Further investigation, including the search for ancient human remains, may reveal whether this technology is linked to Neanderthals, Denisovans, or even an unknown human ancestor.
