Stone Age skull found on school outing
A schoolboy from Napp School in Lofoten (Norway) has discovered a human skull that may be between 5,000 and 6,000 years old. 11 year old Aleksander Johansen spotted “something white” on a field trip: “When I got it out I saw it was a skull,” said Aleksander. Upon examination by archaeologists from the Viking Museum in Borg the skull was found to be in exceptionally good condition, with only a few teeth missing but otherwise intact. The skull was found close to a previous dig which in 1969 to 1971 uncovered three remnants from the Old Stone Age, the oldest dated at 3,100 BCe.
Source: Aftenposten (27 May 2003)
Bones of cavemen warriors found in Spain
Archaeologists in Barcelona (Spain) have announced the discovery of the remains of about 160 bodies killed in a battle more than 4,000 years ago. Dolmens formed the entrance to a cave containing more than 25,000 human bones. Most of the bones were from males and females aged between 12 and 20 years.
The find, near Dosrius in the east of the country, also included around 70 flint arrow heads. Given the number and age range of the bodies, archaeologists have concluded that they had been killed in warfare.
The discovery was the first of its kind in Spain, dates from 1995. It has taken eight years to date and interpret the material.
Source: Iol.co.za (27 May 2003)
Further digs planned for Irish midlands bog
As a follow-up to the discovery of a male torso of possible Iron Age origin found in early May near Daingean in Co Offaly (Republic of Ireland), further excavations for other human remains or evidence of settlement are planned for a 74-acre site identified by Department of Environment archaeologists. Current wet conditions preclude a full-scale excavation at the moment, but it is hoped that the bog will be sufficiently dry later in the summer to allow work to begin.
In the meantime, the National Museum of Ireland is continuing in its efforts to determine the age of the torso. The clothes and arm bracelet indicate the man lived up to 2,000 years ago, but it will be sometime before the carbon dating test results will be available. It is hoped that tests will also determine the circumstances of how he died—whether at the scene or whether he was brought there for burial. Few human remains found in bogs over the years have been as complete or in such good condition as this body, where the skin and fingernails are still intact.
Linda Shine of the museum’s Irish Antiquities Unit said, “The body is with the conservation unit at the moment. The priority is to make sure it’s not going to decompose.”
A recent but brief search in the midlands bog by members of the Irish Wetlands Archaeological Unit for the missing head has turned up nothing.
Source: The Irish Examiner (26 May 2003)
Prehistoric stone tools in Qinhai-Tibet Plateau
Thirteen sites of prehistoric stone tools have been discovered by Chinese archaeologists during a field survey on the Qinhai–Tibet Plateau, indicating that human activity had reached the plateau region, which is at an average altitude of 4000 metres. Once there the owners of the stone implements would have had to endure low temperatures, harsh weather conditions, and an acute shortage of oxygen.
According to the archaeologists, who are part of a 16-member excavation team created for the ongoing Qinhai–Tibet Railway Project, some of the tools could have been used for farming or hunting.
Members of the team originate from Sichuan University, the northern province of Shaanxi, and Tibet, which previously had never contributed archaeologists to such a major project. The team has been working on the 700-kilometre Tibetan section of the railway since May 10.
Source: Xinhua News Agency (29 May 2003)
