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Shanidar Cave

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archaeology2 years ago•5 min saved

Reevaluating the Neanderthal 'Flower Burial': New Pollen Study Challenges Previous Findings

A new study challenges the long-held belief that Neanderthals buried their dead with flowers. The hypothesis was based on the discovery of pollen clumps near a Neanderthal skeleton in Shanidar Cave in 1960. However, recent research suggests that the pollen might have been brought into the cave by bees, rather than intentionally placed by Neanderthals. Analysis of the pollen and its composition cast doubt on the original flower burial theory. Nevertheless, the study supports the idea that Neanderthals treated their dead with care, as evidenced by the separate interments and common orientations of the skeletons in the cave.

via CNN|

#archaeological-science #archaeology #flower-burial

archaeology2 years ago•4 min saved

Neanderthal 'flower burial' debunked as bees left pollen behind

A new study challenges the long-held belief that Neanderthals practiced flower burials, suggesting instead that burrowing bees may have deposited pollen underneath a Neanderthal's remains, creating the illusion of a flower-adorned burial. The study reexamined the pollen evidence from the Shanidar 4 burial site in Iraqi Kurdistan and found that the presence of mixed clumps of pollen is more likely due to bees collecting and depositing pollen in their burrows. While the flower burial interpretation is debunked, the significance of the Shanidar burials in understanding Neanderthal burial rituals remains, and further research is needed to uncover more about their practices.

via Livescience.com|

#archaeology #bees #burial-rituals

archaeology2 years ago•6 min saved

Decoding Neanderthal Burial Practices: Unraveling the Role of Burrowing Bees

Researchers have reexamined the "Flower Burial" hypothesis at Shanidar Cave, a site known for its Neanderthal remains, and concluded that the pollen found in the burial pits was likely deposited by bees rather than being a floral grave offering. The presence of taxonomically mixed clumps of pollen suggests that bees collected and deposited the pollen. While some questions remain, this study sheds light on the complex behavior of Neanderthals and challenges previous perceptions of them as primitive beings. The discovery of intentional burial and other sophisticated activities among Neanderthals has expanded our understanding of their capabilities.

via Phys.org|

#archaeology #bees #flower-burial