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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Research on most recent Neanderthal remains blocked by red tape


Flippant with the latest news from Mundo Neandertal: the Andalusian Government (Junta de Andalucía) is impeding the research of one of the most interesting sites for late Neanderthal research on no reason at all (source: Público).

In the 1950s a male Neanderthal skull was found at the site but was recently dated by palinology to as late as 21,500 BP, much later than the last Neanderthals are known to have lived. Such shocking datation requires further research but, while they have the money, they can get a mere administrative permit. And the worst is that no explanation at all is even given.

The situation anyhow seems widespread in the backwards semicolonial latifundist region, with local researchers being forced to migrate (to Gibraltar for instance) for lack of any archaological interest by the administration. This in spite of the archaeological wealth that Andalusia surely hides in its earthy folds. One wonders if is some sort of unspoken policy not to disturb the latifundia or maybe that they have been secretly storing nuclear waste in archaeological sites.

In any case, it is a scandal that a country that should be able to shed so much light on European prehistory, virtually no archaeological excavations are allowed as if it was some sort of taboo.

Where is Tartessos?!
.

2 comments:

Toos said...

Maju, perhaps this link about exactly the same subject is interesting you? http://anthropology.net/2009/10/30/a-cave-shut-by-closed-minds-la-carihuela-neanderthals-vs-the-junta/

Maju said...

Thanks, Toos.

I follow Anthropology.Net, as you can see in the blogroll list, and it is likely that Tim took that news from here (or directly from Mundo Neandertal maybe).

Nevertheless he seems to have researched the matter quite farther. So, sure, probably worth a read.