Mousterian (Neanderthal) Sites Mousterian (Neanderthal) Sites
Located on the western escarpment of Mount Carmel, Kebara Cave has two important components, Middle Paleolithic Aurignacian and Mousterian, and Epi-Paleolithic Natufian. First occupied about 60 000 years ago, the 4 meter thick cave deposit has Levallois stone artifacts, many many hearths, and midden deposits.
The oldest occupations at Kebara Cave are thought to be associated with the Middle Paleolithic Aurignacian and Mousterian traditions, and range between 60 000 and 48 000 years ago. These oldest levels yielded thousands of animal bone--primarily mountain gazelle and Persian fallow deer--much with cutmarks, burned bones, hearths, ash lenses and lithic artifacts leading researchers to believe Kebara Cave was a long-term occupied base camp for its Neanderthal residents. Also identified in the MP layers of Kebara cave was a nearly complete skeleton of a Neanderthal.
Text above: http://archaeology.about.com/od/kterms/qt/kebara_cave.htm
Provenant de l'ensemble sépulcral néandertalien de la grotte de Kébara (Israël), la sépulture Kébara II est un exemple unique attestant des 60 000 ans de pratiques funéraires complexes.
Le corps reposait sur le dos, dans une fosse probablement vide de sédiments.
Après disparition naturelle des chairs et tendons - en l'absence de toute trace de décharnement - il semble que le crâne, non retrouvé lors de la fouille, a probablement été prélevé sans la mandibule par les moustériens eux-memes.
The Kebara II burial in the Kebara Cave, Israel, is a unique example of complex burial practices 60 000 years ago.
The body rested on its back, probably in a grave dug for its interment. After the disappearance of flesh and tendons - without any trace of physical removal of flesh - it appears that although the jaw remains, the skull, not found during the excavation, was probably removed by the Mousterians themselves.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Text: Adapted and translated from the display at Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Artist:© Emmanuel Roudier, 2008
Superb watercolours were done for this exhibition by the French artist, Emmanuel Roudier.
Blog: http://roudier-neandertal.blogspot.com/ Contact: emmanuelroudier@gmail.com
Source: Display at Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Kebara skeleton as found.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source:
Squelette de Kebara 2 en place dans le site, fouille O. Bar Yosef et B. Vandermeersch, moulage M. Chech CNRS. (Collection du laboratoire d'anthropologie des Population du Passé, Université de Bordeaux)
Facsimile, Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Kebara skeleton.
Note that the one femur found has been placed at an angle to fit into the display case.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original, Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Kebara skeleton.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original, Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Squelette de Kebara 2, fouille O. Bar Yosef et B. Vandermeersch (collection du Département d'Anatomy et Anthropologie de l'Université de Tel-Aviv, Israël)
Right hip bone from the Kebara II skeleton. The pelvic girdle, also called the hip girdle, is composed to two coxal (hip) bones.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Facsimile, Neandertal Museum, la Chapelle-aux-Saints