In France, we found the stone structures of Neanderthals – BBC Russian

Image copyright BENCE VIOLA

Image caption Mysterious structure found a few hundred meters from the entrance to the cave

Scientists studying one of the caves in France, ran into a mysterious stone ring-shaped structures that are likely to have been built Neanderthals.

This finding gives additional reason to say that until now scientists may have underestimated the ability of our “cousins” of the tree of evolution

The structures were made of hundreds of stalagmites -. natёchnyh mineral formations growing in the form of columns the bottom of the cave.

According to the scientists, stalagmites have been broken out from the bottom of Brunikel caves in southwestern France 175 000 years ago.

The study is published in the journal Nature.

A man or animal?

Image copyright OTHER

Image caption The observed structure is a two ovals, assembled from fragments of stalagmites

stalagmites, the broken into approximately equal pieces, lined at the bottom of the cave by two ovals. Building height is about 40 cm.

“The fact that they are located in 336 meters from the entrance to the cave, said that in an age people already inhabit underground space. This was a big step in modernizing ancient man “- the researchers report in an article

One of the authors of the study -. Jacques Jaubert from the University of Bordeaux – exclude the possibility that the observed structure appeared spontaneously or were arranged animals

Near. ring-shaped structures, retaining traces of fire, animal bones were actually found – bears and wolves. But rather, it speaks in favor of the version that the stone circles were used for cooking, speculate the researchers

“The origin of these structures is undoubtedly obliged person” -. Said Jobert in an interview with the AP.

builded following the Neanderthals must have had in mind a plan, he continues to get so deep into the cave, where there is no natural light.

Perhaps they explored underground group and built a ring, using fire to light.

“A remarkable discovery”

Image copyright Elisabeth Daynes SPL

Image caption modern scientists no longer believe Neanderthals direct ancestors of modern humans

Professor Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London called the discovery significant.

Given the age of rocks, buildings had to be made by early Neanderthals, says the scientist. They were the only known members of the human race,

who lived in Europe at the time. At the time, the air temperature dropped low enough. Caves, apparently represented to the Neanderthals some shelter from the cold

Professor Stringer, not prinimashy participate in the study notes. “If we can find some kind of life balances, this will help determine whether this cave time refuge or of permanent shelter. Perhaps he was even made a canopy of wood or leather. or maybe it was something more than the ritual “.

” Only further study of this cave, or other similar sites will help us to understand how widespread were the underground shelter in those days and what goals they used it “- sums up the scientist

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