Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Archaeologists Discover Remains of 9 Neanderthals Near Rome

Associated Press

   ROME - Italian archaeologists have uncovered the fossilized remains of
   nine Neanderthals in a cave near Rome, shedding new light on how the
   Italian peninsula was populated and under what environmental
   conditions.

   The Italian Culture Ministry announced the discovery Saturday, saying
   it had confirmed that the Guattari Cave in San Felice Circeo was "one
   of the most significant places in the world for the history of
   Neanderthals." A Neanderthal skull was discovered in the cave in 1939.

   The fossilized bones include skulls, skull fragments, two teeth and
   other bone fragments. The oldest remains date from between 100,000 and
   90,000 years ago, while the other eight Neanderthals are believed to
   date from 50,000 to 68,000 years ago, the Culture Ministry said in a
   statement.

   The excavations, begun in 2019, involved a part of the cave that hadn't
   yet been explored, including a lake first noted by the anthropologist
   Alberto Carlo Blanc, who is credited with the 1939 Neanderthal skull
   discovery.

   Culture Minister Dario Franceschini called the finding "an
   extraordinary discovery that will be the talk of the world."

   Anthropologist Mauro Rubini said the large number of remains suggested
   a significant population of Neanderthals, "the first human society of
   which we can speak."

   Archaeologists said the cave had perfectly preserved the environment of
   50,000 years ago. They noted that fossilized animal remains found in
   the cave -- elephant, rhinoceros and giant deer, among others -- shed
   light on the flora and fauna of the area and its climactic history.