Archaeological evidence from ancient dung suggests that the people who lived here kept sheep or goats (Image: Hellenic Ministry of Culture)
Posted on 08/24/2006 10:50:46 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Dr Panagiotis Karkanas, who conducted the excavation of the Kouveleiki caves, located on the cliffs of a shallow valley in the southern Peloponnese... came to this conclusion after studying objects uncovered within the caves and after performing a detailed microanalysis of the cave sediments... The complex consists of two caves, the first of which is divided into two chambers by several rock blocks that appear to have fallen from the roof before the caves were inhabited. The cavemen used this natural divide to their advantage, since one of the fallen rocks was curved and straightened to resemble a wall, which created a corridor between the two chambers... In the first cave he found fine painted pottery, polished axes, spindle whirls, clay and marble figurines, grinders and a collection of obsidian, chert and quartz tools. The dark, back 'room', measuring about 150 square metres, appears to have been the main area of habitation. Evidence for hearth fires was found. And the floor was plastered with a mixture of burnt dung and red clay... He says the second cave "was probably used as a complementary activity area", sort of the prehistoric version of a tool shed.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
Archaeological evidence from ancient dung suggests that the people who lived here kept sheep or goats (Image: Hellenic Ministry of Culture)
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Prehistoric man had "marble figurines"? Dang. I learn something every day...
"Condo? right Oru"
Yes, and some of them have appreciated in value by 500 per cent or more. ;')
When there's talk about ancient pottery, I always wonder about whether or not they are fired & if they are, how? Could the "tool shed" be a kiln?
Fired pottery (actually, they are figurines, by a happenstance) date back 10s of 1000s of years, at least in one European site; however, and oddly, a number of cultures were PreCeramic, and fired clay items for common uses (such as the nice painted dinner plate found in modern Syria but dating back about 7000 years) enter the record circa 8000 years ago. A PreCeramic cultural group moved (by sea) out of the mainland and over to Cyprus about that time; they built a walled village and took their penned animals with them (the animals are all mainland species, which is how their geographic origin was roughly figured out). Talk about stubborn, eh? ;')
Gorilla my dreams.
I'm trying to wrap my mind about surviving pottery that is not fired. Add a bit of water & it turns back into clay. I know roku (sp) creates enough heat for glazes, but I'm not sure if that's hot enough to fire the clay that it's put on.
The boat ride with those animals musta been a trip. lol
Arr, arr, arrr!
Excellent find !!
Host (Eric Idle): Last week the Royal Festival Hall saw the first performance
of a new symphony by one of the world's leading modern
composers, Arthur 'Two sheds' Jackson. Mr Jackson.
Jackson (Terry Jones): Hello.
Host: May I just sidetrack for one moment. This -- what shall I call it --
nickname of yours...
Jackson: Ah yes.
Host: "Two sheds". How did you come by it?
Jackson: Well, I don't use it myself, but some of my friends call me "Two
Sheds".
Host: And do you in fact have two sheds?
Jackson: No, I've only got one. I've had one for some time, but a few years
ago I said I was thinking of getting another, and since then some
people have called me "Two Sheds".
Host: In spite of the fact that you only have one.
Jackson: Yes.
Host: And are you still intending to purchase this second shed?
Jackson (impatient): No!
Host: ...To bring you in line with your epithet?
Jackson: No.
Host: I see, I see. Well to return to your symphony.
Jackson: Ah yes.
Host: Did you write this symphony in the shed?
Jackson (surprised): No!
Host: Have you written any of your recent works in this shed of yours?
Jackson: No, no, not at all. It's just an ordinary garden shed.
Host: I see, I see. And you're thinking of buying this second shed to write
in!
Jackson: No, no. Look. This shed business -- it doesn't really matter. The
sheds aren't important. A few friends call me Two Sheds and that's
all there is to it. I wish you'd ask me about the music. Everybody
talks about the sheds. They've got it out of proportion -- I'm a
composer. I'm going to get rid of the shed. I'm fed up with it!
Host: Then you'll be Arthur 'No Sheds' Jackson, eh?
Jackson: Look, forget about the sheds. They don't matter.
Host (sternly): Mr. Jackson, I think, with respect, we ought to return to the
subject of your symphony.
Jackson: Huh!
Host: I understand that you used to be interested in train-spotting.
Jackson: What?
Host: I understand that, about thirty years ago, you were interested in
train-spotting.
Jackson: Well what's that got to do with my bloody music?
John Cleese (entering): Are you having any trouble with him?
Host: Yes, a little. Good Lord! You're the man who interviewed Sir Edward
Ross earlier.
Cleese: Exactly. Well we interviewers are more than a match for the likes of
you, "Two Sheds".
Host: Yes, make yourself scarce, "Two Sheds". This studio isn't big enough
for the three of us! [They throw him out.]
Jackson: Here, what are you doing? Stop it! [Crash.]
Cleese: Get your own Arts programme, you fairy!
Host: Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson... Never mind, Timmy.
Cleese: Oh Mike, you're such a comfort.
Could the animals have been kept in the front part of the cave to not only keep them safe but to provide some heat.
Arthur "Two Sheds" Caveman ping.
That'll teach me to check my spelling before I post you quick poster you.
In todays world we refer to it as 'the garage' ... specifically the side of 'the garage' you don't park your car.
"specifically the side of 'the garage' you don't park your car"
"Honey, I'm going out to the shed to work on my project." "You just stop right there, mister. You know as well as I do, you're just going out there to have a beer with your buddies and leave me here with the kids. And when are you going to get around to painting this room, like you promised me last winter and . . . ."
"It's a good thing."
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