Bones of Contention

Archaeologists in France unearthed a single human tooth and nine fragmented bones believed to be from Neanderthals at the Grotte du Renne site in Arcy-sur-Cure. This find challenges the long-held theory that Neanderthals in the region died out approximately 45,000 years ago. Dating of the tooth and bones suggests they are between 41,000 and 45,000 years old. The Grotte du Renne is particularly significant because it contains Châtelperronian artifacts, a culture previously attributed to Neanderthals and notable for its use of advanced tools and body ornaments. If the newly discovered remains are confirmed to be Neanderthal, it would further solidify the association between Neanderthals and the Châtelperronian culture. The dating of the remains involved advanced techniques including collagen analysis. This is due to the challenges of radiocarbon dating very old specimens. The research aims to clarify the timeline of Neanderthal presence in the region and their potential interactions with early Homo sapiens, who arrived in Europe around the same time. Confirming the late presence of Neanderthals at Grotte du Renne could rewrite the narrative of Neanderthal extinction and cultural development. It suggests they may have persisted longer and possibly interacted with early humans, even adopting or independently developing complex cultural practices. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/archaeologists-found-tooth-bones-challenge-120000854.html