Monday, November 24, 2008

Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis


On Sunday the 23rd I went with my future host parents and Kevin (They are currently his host parents) to Krapina. We travelled for about 45 minutes to see the Neanderthal site at Krapina.

Primitive man was discovered in Krapina in 1899 when paleontological research began on Hušnjakovo hill. The exploration lasted six years under the supervision of Professor Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger. (A Croatian geologist and paleontologist)
Diagram of the hill and its layers.

About 900 human fossil bones were found in the sand layers of a cave. These fossil remains are those of ten individuals, both men and woman, ranging in age from two to forty years. It is regarded as the richest collection of Neanderthal man remains gathered at one site.
The paleontological site has fossils dating to 130,000 years old!
First we visited the museum that is located at the base of the hill. There is a new museum being constructed so the exhibit can be expanded.
Ammonites and tribolites. There were also allot of plant and sea life fossils. The area was once a sea.
Depicting what Neanderthal life was most likely like.

Neanderthals

Neanderthals

Over 1,000 pieces of stone tools from the upper Paleolithic period were also found, giving insight into the Krapina primitive man's culture.


Human bone fragments. The skull at the base of the picture was the most complete skull found. There was no complete skulls found, only fragments.

Diagrams and model skulls depicting of the evolution of man.
Fossil remains of a cave bear, wolf, elk, giant deer, rhino, (from the interglacial period) wild ox and other animals were also found. Below are models and fragments of whats was found.

Giant Cave Bear
After the museum part we walked up the hill to the site where the fossilized bones were discovered.

The site.
Neanderthal reconstruction. Scientists found evidence that the Krapina people may have practiced cannibalism. This reconstruction has the woman stirring a fire with human bones in it.
Neanderthal reconstructionKevin and I sitting in a small cave.
Second host parents

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