Caribbean archeology | The Blacktip Times

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October 25, 2024 · 9:11 am

Neanderthal Site Found In Blacktip Island Cave

Neanderthal

An artist’s rendition of what the newly-discovered Blacktip Island Neanderthals, and the island, might have looked like 500,000 years ago. (illustration by Wendy Beaufort/BTT)

Hikers exploring caves in Blacktip Island’s rugged interior Wednesday discovered what experts have identified as the only known Neanderthal site in the Western Hemisphere.

“We hacked through brush for an hour, and were excited to be the first ones to find the cave,” Gage Hoase said. “Then we saw the fire pit and wall paintings and got totally bummed out. Somebody’d gotten there first. We thought it was left over from a wild party.

“Then the university people went all apeshit and had me take them out there,” Hoase said. “They tore into taking photos and measuring everything. We didn’t get what the big deal was about until they told us what was up. So, technically, we were the first ones in the cave . . . after about 500,000 years.”

Tiperon University-Blacktip archeologists are keeping the finds under wraps.

“We’re not telling anyone where the cave is,” Vera Cuda said. “And any artefacts we’ve removed from the site are being kept in a safe until our findings can be verified. In general, though, we found bones, stone tools, goddess figurines and hunt scenes painted on the walls.

“From the animals depicted in the paintings, this group hunted, and lived on, prehistoric cave iguanas and giant cave-land crabs, Cuda said. “The hominid bones, and how they were arranged, suggest a funeral ceremony of some sort. It’s too early to say much more than that. We definitely have our work cut out for us.”

Others focused on how the Neanderthals came to Blacktip Island.

“Neanderthals’ range was limited to southern Europe and the Near East,” historian Angela Fisher said. “This is the only site like this outside that area. Our working theory is they somehow crossed on a land bridge when the sea levels were lower, then were stranded when the glaciers melted and the water rose.

“We know Neanderthals had basic boating skills, but nothing that could accomplish an Atlantic crossing,” Fisher said. “With the current sea level, you can only go down so far in the cave. We reckon they used that brackish water as their water source.”

Some residents questioned the find.

“If Neanderthals migrated to Blacktip from Europe, why’s there no fossil evidence between there and here?” Lee Helm said. “What makes way more sense is convergent evolution, where this Caribbean group evolved independently from the European ones.”

Others embraced the idea.

“Sloping forehead, heavy brows, communicates in grunts?” Val Schrader said. “Yep, that’s a Blacktipper, all right. Totally tracks.”

Divers Discover ‘Linear A’ Tablets On Blacktip Island Reef

Clay tablet fragments, inscribed with what appear to be the Linear A writing system of ancient Crete, were found by recreational scuba divers off Blacktip Island’s east coast. (photo courtesy of Zde)

Scuba divers on Blacktip Island’s east coast Thursday discovered clay tablet fragments inscribed with what experts say is the never-deciphered Linear A writing system used by ancient Minoans.

“It was the damnedest thing,” divemaster Gage Hoase said. “Last week’s storms had shifted the sand around and uncovered a bunch of stuff. I was looking at a sea slug on some exposed rock and noticed a flat piece of clay with some scratchings on it. Then another.

“I didn’t think anything of it ‘til I showed them to Lucille Ray,” Hoase said. “She’s a history buff, and her jaw about hit the ground. Said she’s only ever seen Linear-whatsits in textbooks and museums. We’re going out again this afternoon to see if there’s any more.”

Experts are divided on how the fragments came to Blacktip Island.

“Linear A was used solely by the Minoans, and no one’s used it since about 1400 BC,” Ray said. “The only known samples of it are from Crete and the Greek mainland. The obvious answer is the fragments were stolen from a museum, then fell, or were tossed, overboard. And since there’s no marine growth on them, that happened fairly recently.”

Others disagreed.

“No growth on ‘em ‘cause they was buried in the sand. Long time ago,” handyman Antonio Fletcher said. “That means Minoans visited Blacktip way back when. They were a seafaring people, you know.

“End of the Bronze Age, Mediterranean culture collapsed, folks were on the move,” Fletcher said. “Why couldn’t Minoans have sailed to Blacktip? Good chance they’re our ancestors. There’s locals who got a Greek look to them. Could be descended from ancient Cretans.

Some in the small Caribbean island’s academic community disputed the find.

“It’s just bits of clay with some random scratching on them,” Tiperon University-Blacktip archeology professor Dunning von Kruger said. “There’s no indication it’s Linear A, or any other writing system. It’s far more likely to be a child’s scibbling than ancient writing.

“There’s also an excellent chance this is a weak attempt at a hoax,” von Kruger said. “It’s Gage and Lucille we’re talking about here. It smacks of a sad cry for attention. And validation.”

Experts, meanwhile are keeping a close watch on the fragments.

“We have the fragments locked up at the museum to study, with archival gloves and whatnot,” Blacktip Island Museum curator Lefty Wright said. “Mostly relying on YouTube and the Google. We think we have a good shot at finally deciphering Linear A. The pussy-cat pictogram’s the key.

“The national museum on Tiperon’s interested, too. They’re sending one of their top people over to have a look. She specializes in Medieval barter systems, though, so that may be a wash. Worst case, the fragments’ll go to the Blacktip Island Museum, and sit alongside the cannon ball and turtle shell.”

Hoase and Ray have not disclosed the exact site of the find to discourage potential looters.