“These excavations may shed light on the history of the Italian population,” says anthropologist Mario Rubini. “The Neanderthal is a fundamental step in human evolution.” The Italian Culture Minister speaks of “an extraordinary discovery that will be talked about all over the world”.
The discovery was made in a part of the cave that had not been explored until now. The cave was accidentally found in 1939 by a group of workers. In that year already a skull of a Neanderthal was found.
Hyena’s
According to archaeologists, the conditions of 50,000 years ago have been well preserved in the cave. For example, thousands of animal remains have been found, including many of hyenas.
Bones of aurochs, rhinoceroses, elephants, giant deer and wild horses have also been found. Bite marks have been found on many remains, which may indicate prey dragged in by the hyenas.
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