New Neanderthal jewelry discovered in Italy

11-07-13. Paleontologists from Italy, France, and Norway reported the discovery of a new piece of Neanderthal jewelry in the July 10, 2013, issue of the journal Public Library of Science.

The scientists report the discovery of a fragmentary Miocene-Pliocene fossil marine shell, Aspa marginata, found in a Discoid Mousterian layer of the Fumane Cave, in northern Italy, that dated to between 48,000 and 45,000 years ago. The researchers traced the origin of the shell to about 60 miles from the site where it was found.

Microscopic analysis of the shell surface identified clusters of striations on the inner lip indicating physical manipulation by a Neanderthal tool. These objects are considered to be made by Neanderthals. The outer shell surface was covered by a pigment that was identified as pure hematite (red ocher) by dispersive X-ray and Raman analysis. Red ocher has been verified in other Neanderthal sites as a decorative pigment for objects and clothing.

 The researchers propose that this shell was purposefully transported from its original location, intentionally colored with red pigment, and worn as jewelry by Neanderthals. The pendant was most probably suspended by a string or cord.

This is one of the few known Neanderthal jewelry pieces that can be verified by time, location in known Neanderthal habitats, and by physical analysis. This object dates to well before any entry of modern man into Europe from Africa examiner.com

Citation: Peresani M, Vanhaeren M, Quaggiotto E, Queffelec A, d’Errico F (2013) An Ochered Fossil Marine Shell From the Mousterian of Fumane Cave, Italy. PLoS ONE 8(7): e68572. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068572

Actualización 24-07-13. Un nuevo objeto de adorno personal en el Musteriense italiano
... La última novedad nos llega de la cueva de Fumane, en el norte de Italia, un excepcional yacimiento de Paleolítico medio y superior, que está ofreciendo importantes descubrimientos y resultados de investigación, sobre la cultura y los modos de vida de las sociedades neandertales.

Lo que presentan los investigadores, en esta ocasión, es una concha marina de origen fósil, recogida a cierta distancia (probablemente más de 100 Km), teñida con ocre rojo, probablemente suspendida de un cordón durante bastante tiempo (y por tanto usada a modo de adorno corporal) y finalmente abandonada en la cueva, quizás cuando se rompió...