Two sites of the Neandertal-associated Middle Paleolithic of Iberia,
dated to as early as approximately 50,000 years ago, yielded
perforated and pigment-stained marine shells. The article is convincing and for me not very surprising .
Just another example that we should assume at least some symbolic capacities for the Neanderthals


Johannes

I have to disagree.
If HF and his ancestors coexisted – in time, probably not in place – with HE, in all variants, HNS, and HSS, and then went extinct, I'd say theirs was not a 'defining' chapter in human evolution. But an abberation, a non-starter if you wish (from our present perspective of course). HE, in all variants, HNS, and HSS being all around HF means that they, HE, in all variants, HNS, and HSS, literally passed HF by. Apparently without consequences. Another pointer at HF's inconsequence for hominid evolution, imo.

I don't see "the hobbits are assuming ever greater importance". It looks more like a sideshow in human evolution: yes, it was there all the time, but nobody ever took notice for 2 million years...! Apparently HF was THAT uninteresting to the 'surrounding' hominins. No matter the specific reasons.

I wouldn't be surprised if HF will prove to have more than a slight connection with Australopithecines, and that his classification as 'homo' will be disputed.

Interesting paper summary from Science.


 I haven't read the paper as I don't subscribe to Science.

Anyone to comment on it?

Paul

I think that by 750 Kya hominins had already been feeding on seafood for the largest part of the protein in their diet for at least 1,5 million years, living and trekking along the contemporary coastlines as they did. Now it seems water was also an important source of starch. Interesting.

I agree.

Imo HE was the ancestor of just about all hominin species and variants that followed (and cross-bred), and HE – in multiple variants/apparitions like H. Antecessor, H. Heidelbergensis, Meganthropus paleojavanicus, HE pekinensis, etc. – was the one who 'discovered' the world*! First on foot, following the coastlines of THAT era, later by boat, crossing straits and seas as sea levels rose and coastlines changed dramatically.

*including the Americas! After all, if HE was in Georgia by 1,77 Mya, and in Malaysia by 1,83 Mya, and in southern Europe, Java, and China by ca. 1,6 Mya, then he was clearly on a course to walk across the Bering landbridge. I bet he did! Don't forget sea levels were 400 feet lower, and coastlines VERY different from today's. HE's habitat THEN is now submerged under 400 feet of seawater and far out to sea...

It ties in with the chinese updating, actually predating, HE pekinensis's age by 200,000 years to 700 Kya (could also be one-upmanship).

If HE was in Dmanisi, Georgia by 1,77 Mya, and in Malaysia by 1,83 Mya, and Meganthropus paleojavanicus, an HE variant, had already reached Java by 1,57 Mya, and another HE variant had reached China by 1,6 Mya, then it must certainly have been possible for HE to have reached western Europe by the same time. No surprises there. All the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit ever neater and tidier.

Thanks very much.

Send them to:

don@donsmaps.com

Much appreciated, send the copyright notice with the pics, not a problem.

Sure, Don. If you post 'm integrally, complete with my (modest) copyright notice. Got to actually do the PP though, don't have 'm on the shelf, and it may be a day or two before I can sit down to do it.
I can get you high quality, hi-res JPGs. Where do you want 'm?

I would like to get some high resolution copies of those to put on my website, donsmaps.com

Is that possible?

Don

It was.
I took the original RAWs on 3 December, 2.58 pm.
ISO 100, 1/10th, F/8.0.

Here's another one.