Ancient Cave Sealed For 40,000 Years May Have Been Hideout of The Last Neanderthals

Science Alert ^ | September 30, 2021 | Owen Jarus

[SunkenCiv]

"Given that the sand sealing the chamber was [40,000] years old, and that the chamber was therefore older, it must have been Neanderthals," who lived in Eurasia from about 200,000 to 40,000 years ago and were likely using the cave, Clive Finlayson, director of the Gibraltar National Museum, told Live Science in an email.

While Finlayson's team was studying the cave last month, they discovered the hollow area. After climbing through it, they found it is 43 feet (13 meters) in length, with stalactites hanging like eerie icicles from the chamber ceiling.

Along the surface of the cave chamber, the researchers found the remains of lynx, hyenas, and griffon vultures, as well as a large whelk, a type of sea snail that was likely carried into the chamber by a Neanderthal, the archaeologists said in a statement.

The researchers are eager to see what they will find once they start excavating. One possibility is that the team will discover Neanderthal burials, Finlayson said.

"We found the milk tooth of a 4-year-old Neanderthal close to the chamber four years ago," he said. The tooth "was associated with hyenas, and we suspect the hyenas brought the child [who was likely dead] into the cave."

Researchers have discovered plenty of evidence of Neanderthals' presence in the cave system, called the Gorham's Cave Complex, including a carving that may have been early Neanderthal artwork.

In addition, findings have suggested that, at this cave system, our closest extinct relatives butchered seals, plucked feathers off birds of prey to wear as ornaments, and used tools, Live Science previously reported.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The largest brain/body ratio in vertebrates is found in birds.

I think we are second.

A lot of brain matter is needed for sharp color sensitive vision. The Neanderthal had larger eyes then Cro Magnon. Might have been what they were using the extra for.

Tetrachromacy had to come from somewhere. Why not Neanderthals?

(The above is purely idle speculation by the poster who is not a scientist but can make an award winning margarita)

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, not bad!

[nicollo]

The largest brain/body ratio in vertebrates is found in birds.

It's not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Keep telling yourself that. :)

But my point was that sight is one of our most brain demanding senses. When you add in color and sharpness it eats up a great deal of wet wear.

That is why birds have such a large brain to body ratio.

If Neanderthal had better vision then Cro Magnon it might explain the larger brain capacity.

Vision is one of our most complex and least understood systems. We take in a whole lot more then we actually see and process. Also possible that they could process more.