In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 8 ( 2019-05-14)
Abstract:
The fossil traces of Stone Age humans and other animals in the Grotta della Bàsura cave system in Italy have been studied since the 1950s. Italian archaeologist Virginia Chiappella published the first studies; she documented bones from an extinct cave bear, human and animal footprints, charcoal from torches, finger marks, and lumps of clay stuck on the walls. Since then, many more archeologists and anthropologists have studied the cave and its fossils. Yet there are still lessons to be learned from this prehistoric site. Now, Romano et al. have combined a number of different approaches and used some of the latest technology and cutting-edge software to analyze 180 footprints and other tracks found in the cave. These trace fossils date to about 14,000 years ago, and the analysis revealed that they were left by a group of Stone Age humans who descended at least 400 meters into the cave. The group consisted of two adults, an adolescent and two children of about three and six years old. At one point they had to crawl through a low tunnel – something that has not previously been documented in the fossil record. The group were all barefoot, had no clothing on their arms and legs and used wooden torches to light the way. Together, these findings suggest that young children were active group members during the late Stone Age, even when carrying out apparently dangerous activities. Romano et al. now hope that their multidisciplinary approach may help other scientists looking to understand how humans behaved elsewhere in the world at various points in history.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.001
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.002
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.003
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.004
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.005
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.006
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.007
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.008
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.009
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.010
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.011
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.012
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.013
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.014
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.015
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.016
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.017
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.018
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.019
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.020
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.021
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.022
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.023
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.024
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.025
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.026
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.027
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.028
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.030
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.45204.031
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3
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