Friday 2 March 2012

Neanderthals As Ancient Mariners


Reconstruction of a Neanderthal girl. Image courtesy of Christopher P.E. Zollikofer. Anthropological Institute, University of Zurich via Wikipedia.

Joel Kontinen



The abilities of the Neanderthals are getting more versatile almost every week. The latest instalment adds seafaring to the list.

Stone tools found on the Greek islands of Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos suggest that the Neanderthals reached these Ionian islands by sea before modern men.

They crossed the sea at a time when evolutionists believe the islands were separated from the Greek mainland by much water – probably too much for swimming.

Once dismissed as grunting apemen, the Neanderthals have been welcomed into the human family as fully-fledged members.

Source:

Marshall, Michael. 2012. Neanderthals were ancient mariners. New Scientist 2854, 10. (29 February).