Researchers believe the stalagmite rings could either form part of a refuge or serve a symbolic purpose. (Image via Jaubert et al.)
Ancient ring-like structures found in a cave in France were probably built by Neanderthals, indicating they had more complex behaviour than previously thought. Researchers believe that the ring-shaped structures, which date to around 176,000 years ago, were constructed and carefully planned, although they are not certain of their purpose.
The structures were found 336 metres inside the entrance to the cave and were made up of about 400 pieces of stalagmites rings. The researchers believe they could possibly have served either a cultural or a symbolic purpose.
Authors:
Jacques Jaubert, Sophie Verheyden, Dominique Genty, Michel Soulier, Hai Cheng, Dominique Blamart, Christian Burlet, Hubert Camus, Serge Delaby, Damien Deldicque, R. Lawrence Edwards, Catherine Ferrier, François Lacrampe-Cuyaubère, François Lévêque, Frédéric Maksud, Pascal Mora, Xavier Muth, Édouard Régnier, Jean-Noël Rouzaud & Frédéric Santos
Corresponding authors:
Jacques Jaubert, Sophie Verheyden, Dominique Genty
Original paper, published on May 25, 2016 in Nature.
