Neanderthal Remains from Hither Asia

Abstract

THE current number of Antiquity as usual contains several important papers. These include among others an article on “The Viking Taste in Pre–Conquest England” with excellent illustrations, and an account of “A Datable Ritual Barrow in Glamorganshire” by Sir Cyril Fox. But perhaps the most important information appears under the “Notes and News” and concerns a prehistoric find in Uzbekistan of flake tool industries associated with the remains of a Neanderthal child. Those who would like more details than this excellent précis can give should consult Asia (July and August, 1940) where A. P. Okladnikov has published two interim reports. The discovery itself was made in an immense rock–shelter called Teshik–Tash high up in the side of the Zautolosh Darya gorge not far from Tashkent and the Soviet–Afghan frontier. The rock–shelter is 61 ft. wide and 64 ft. deep; it is above the contour–levels frequented by shepherds and herds, and so has remained undisturbed by modern intruders. On the other hand, the plentiful remains of wild mountain goats found in the deposits evoke no surprise. There were four black archæological levels separated by clay–like sterile ones, but the industries from bottom to top showed no great culture–change.