blivet radio
The Radio weblog of Hal Rager

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

We all crave it Jeff, thanks for the linkage! 12:13:37 AM    comment   trackback []

Conflict and Care among the Neandertals "In recent years, much evidence has surfaced in support of a more sophisticated Neandertal. Most scholars now agree that these archaic humans were skilled hunters who conquered the frigid Ice Age winters, made beautiful tools and by some accounts even had symbolic culture. Reports of their brutishness, it seemed, had been greatly exaggerated. But savvy though the Neandertals were, new research affirms that they did not live in total harmony. According to a report published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analysis of a skull belonging to a young adult Neandertal shows that the individual suffered a nasty slash from a sharp weapon most likely wielded by a disgruntled group member. The finding also speaks to the softer side of these hominids, however: visible bone healing indicates that the victim survived the blow--probably as a result of having been cared for by other Neandertals." [Scientific American] 12:03:12 AM    comment   trackback []