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Neanderthals and human lived side by side in Middle Eastern caves and interbred
PUBLISHED: 14:05, 29 September 2012 | UPDATED: 01:08, 30 September 2012
Neanderthals may have lived side by side with early humans and possibly interbred with them, according to new research.
Stone axes and sharp flint arrowheads of both branches of the human race have been discovered in limestone caves in northern Israel.
The findings, reported in the Times, have led archeologists to believe the two sub-species found harmony in a coastal mountain range that today is in a state of war with its neighbours.
Heritage site: The Nahal Me'arot (Cave River) nature reserve containing caves used by prehistoric men
Cave dwellers: A reconstruction of how Neanderthal men and women may have lived thousands of years ago
None of the bones uncovered at Nahal Me'arot - a World Heritage site - had lethal wounds which suggested prehistoric men lived in peace with each other 80,000 years ago.
Neanderthals were much more sophisticated than they have been credited, according to archeologist Daniel Kaufman - with their own burial rituals and probably language skills alongside their ability to make tools.
Stone axes and sharp flint arrowheads of both branches of the human race have been discovered in limestone caves in northern Israel.
The findings, reported in the Times, have led archeologists to believe the two sub-species found harmony in a coastal mountain range that today is in a state of war with its neighbours.
Heritage site: The Nahal Me'arot (Cave River) nature reserve containing caves used by prehistoric men Cave dwellers: A reconstruction of how Neanderthal men and women may have lived thousands of years agoNone of the bones uncovered at Nahal Me'arot - a World Heritage site - had lethal wounds which suggested prehistoric men lived in peace with each other 80,000 years ago.
Neanderthals were much more sophisticated than they have been credited, according to archeologist Daniel Kaufman - with their own burial rituals and probably language skills alongside their ability to make tools.
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