THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENVIRONMENT + ENERGYHEALTHCULTURE + SOCIETYHOMECOVID-19ARTS CULTURE Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries SECOND DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE: FAQS ABOUT Answers to key questions about rare blood clots linked to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, including risks, symptoms and whether people who have had one AstraZeneca shot should have a YES, THE GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE IS COVID'S FAULT. NO Yes, the global microchip shortage is COVID’s fault. No, it won’t end any time soon. June 1, 2021 11.20pm EDT. John L Hopkins, Swinburne University of Technology. I'M OVER 50 AND HESITANT ABOUT THE ASTRAZENECA COVID Hassan Vally does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no PRINCE HARRY SAGA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD CARL JUNG GIVE? Prince Harry recently received attention for releasing photos of himself undergoing psychotherapy.But if Swiss psychologist Carl Jung was alive today, he’d COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is HOW ARE COVID-19 VACCINES MADE? AN EXPERT EXPLAINS Editor’s note: Anne Moore is a senior lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at University College Cork and a specialist in vaccine development. We spoke to her for episode 3 of The COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLEAUTHOR:

CARL PHILPOTT

Parosmia is a common smell disorder. It has been linked to viral infections and usually begins after the patient appears to have recovered from the infection. The fact it is popping up as a COVID VACCINE MAY LEAD TO A HARMLESS LUMP IN YOUR ARMPITSEE MORE ON

THECONVERSATION.COM

DID THE UK OUTSMART THE EU OVER ASTRAZENECA VACCINES? As a result, the UK has had its orders fully met, whereas the EU suffered early shortfalls from Pfizer, and is now receiving less than a quarter of what it contracted for from AstraZeneca, which THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENVIRONMENT + ENERGYHEALTHCULTURE + SOCIETYHOMECOVID-19ARTS CULTURE Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries SECOND DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE: FAQS ABOUT Answers to key questions about rare blood clots linked to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, including risks, symptoms and whether people who have had one AstraZeneca shot should have a YES, THE GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE IS COVID'S FAULT. NO Yes, the global microchip shortage is COVID’s fault. No, it won’t end any time soon. June 1, 2021 11.20pm EDT. John L Hopkins, Swinburne University of Technology. I'M OVER 50 AND HESITANT ABOUT THE ASTRAZENECA COVID Hassan Vally does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no PRINCE HARRY SAGA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD CARL JUNG GIVE? Prince Harry recently received attention for releasing photos of himself undergoing psychotherapy.But if Swiss psychologist Carl Jung was alive today, he’d COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is HOW ARE COVID-19 VACCINES MADE? AN EXPERT EXPLAINS Editor’s note: Anne Moore is a senior lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at University College Cork and a specialist in vaccine development. We spoke to her for episode 3 of The COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLEAUTHOR:

CARL PHILPOTT

Parosmia is a common smell disorder. It has been linked to viral infections and usually begins after the patient appears to have recovered from the infection. The fact it is popping up as a COVID VACCINE MAY LEAD TO A HARMLESS LUMP IN YOUR ARMPITSEE MORE ON

THECONVERSATION.COM

DID THE UK OUTSMART THE EU OVER ASTRAZENECA VACCINES? As a result, the UK has had its orders fully met, whereas the EU suffered early shortfalls from Pfizer, and is now receiving less than a quarter of what it contracted for from AstraZeneca, which HOW LONG DO COVID VACCINES TAKE TO START WORKING? It takes a couple of weeks. Clinical trials show COVID vaccine protection is optimal from about two weeks after your second dose.

This means they:

CAN PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 STILL SPREAD THE Until near herd immunity against COVID-19 is achieved, and clear evidence accumulates that vaccinated people do not spread the virus, I and many epidemiologists believe it is better to avoid COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is OLYMPIC ATHLETES SPEAK UP: CURRENT COVID PLANS AREN'T The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics is about nine weeks away. And yet many of the world’s athletes are not satisfied with the

COVID-19

COULD THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE CAUSE GUILLAIN-BARRÉ The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) yesterday revealed there have been six reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome in Australia following the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. This is AM I IMMUNE TO COVID-19 IF I HAVE ANTIBODIES? If you are curious whether you had COVID-19 in the past then yes, it makes sense to be tested. Be aware, however, that some of the tests to

date have shown a

8 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS CAN AFFECT YOUR SKIN, FROM COVID 3. chilblain-like symptoms, commonly called ‘COVID toes’. These can affect hands or feet, or both at the same time. The red-purple discoloured skin can be painful and itchy, and there are

ALAN LESTER

Alan Lester's first degree was from the University of Cambridge and his PhD from the University of London. He has been at the University of Sussex since 2000, becoming Professor of Historical WHY IS IT SO OFFENSIVE TO SAY 'ALL LIVES MATTER'? Black Lives Matter. “All lives matter” was born out of “Black Lives Matter”. This is a slogan and a social movement in response to racism and violence perpetuated against Black people THE US WHITE MAJORITY WILL SOON DISAPPEAR FOREVER The US white majority will soon disappear forever. Since the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and the start of the Colonial period, the U.S. has been predominantly white. But the white SECOND DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE: FAQS ABOUT Answers to key questions about rare blood clots linked to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, including risks, symptoms and whether people who have had one AstraZeneca shot should have a YES, THE GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE IS COVID'S FAULT. NO Shutdowns at microchip factories, panic-buying by electronics manufacturers, and legions of workers and home-schoolers needing new

devices, have put a

THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS AND Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries I'M OVER 50 AND HESITANT ABOUT THE ASTRAZENECA COVID Hassan Vally does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is HOW ARE COVID-19 VACCINES MADE? AN EXPERT EXPLAINS Editor’s note: Anne Moore is a senior lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at University College Cork and a specialist in vaccine development. We spoke to her for episode 3 of The PRINCE HARRY SAGA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD CARL JUNG GIVE? Prince Harry recently received attention for releasing photos of himself undergoing psychotherapy.But if Swiss psychologist Carl Jung was alive today, he’d COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLE Lucy, a patient of mine, contracted COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic, before lockdown. She had trouble breathing and her doctor told her to call an ambulance if her lips turned blue. 8 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS CAN AFFECT YOUR SKIN, FROM COVID These water blisters, or vesicular eruptions, are more common in middle-aged people with COVID-19. British Journal of Dermatology. 5. water blisters, or vesicular eruptions, are small fluid-filled

ALAN LESTER

Alan Lester's first degree was from the University of Cambridge and his PhD from the University of London. He has been at the University of Sussex since 2000, becoming Professor of Historical SECOND DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE: FAQS ABOUT Answers to key questions about rare blood clots linked to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, including risks, symptoms and whether people who have had one AstraZeneca shot should have a YES, THE GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE IS COVID'S FAULT. NO Shutdowns at microchip factories, panic-buying by electronics manufacturers, and legions of workers and home-schoolers needing new

devices, have put a

THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS AND Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries I'M OVER 50 AND HESITANT ABOUT THE ASTRAZENECA COVID Hassan Vally does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is HOW ARE COVID-19 VACCINES MADE? AN EXPERT EXPLAINS Editor’s note: Anne Moore is a senior lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at University College Cork and a specialist in vaccine development. We spoke to her for episode 3 of The PRINCE HARRY SAGA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD CARL JUNG GIVE? Prince Harry recently received attention for releasing photos of himself undergoing psychotherapy.But if Swiss psychologist Carl Jung was alive today, he’d COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLE Lucy, a patient of mine, contracted COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic, before lockdown. She had trouble breathing and her doctor told her to call an ambulance if her lips turned blue. 8 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS CAN AFFECT YOUR SKIN, FROM COVID These water blisters, or vesicular eruptions, are more common in middle-aged people with COVID-19. British Journal of Dermatology. 5. water blisters, or vesicular eruptions, are small fluid-filled

ALAN LESTER

Alan Lester's first degree was from the University of Cambridge and his PhD from the University of London. He has been at the University of Sussex since 2000, becoming Professor of Historical HOW LONG DO COVID VACCINES TAKE TO START WORKING? The infection of a Victorian aged-worker who had received their first COVID vaccine dose isn't completely surprising. We need two doses for

optimal protection.

OBITUARY: TB JOSHUA, NIGERIA'S CONTROVERSIAL PENTECOSTAL TITAN The controversial Nigerian televangelist, faith healer, and neo-Pentecostal pastor Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua has died at the age of 57. He was the COVID VACCINES: SOME FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WILL STILL The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection from the circulating viruses. But the circulating flu viruses vary, and vaccinated people may still get ill but have less severe illness.. This is THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS AND Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries CAN PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 STILL SPREAD THE The COVID-19 vaccines are a smash success. But that doesn't mean they keep every vaccinated person completely free of the coronavirus. COVID VACCINE MAY LEAD TO A HARMLESS LUMP IN YOUR ARMPIT Disclosure statement. Rik Thompson is affiliated with the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, which has recently developed a Fact and Issues Sheet on Mammographic/Breast Denisty. CAN VACCINATED PEOPLE STILL SPREAD THE CORONAVIRUS? You've been vaccinated; can you now safely see your friends and family? New research hints that vaccinated people may be less likely to transmit the coronavirus, but they are not 100% in CANCEL CULTURE LOOKS A LOT LIKE OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH Excommunicating a church member, like 'canceling' someone on social media, serves to cleanse the body politic of behavior deemed damaging, suggests a scholar of political theology. AM I IMMUNE TO COVID-19 IF I HAVE ANTIBODIES? Perhaps the most important question now about COVID-19 is the degree to which a prior infection protects from a second infection by the new

coronavirus.

HOW SOUTH AFRICA CAN ADDRESS DIGITAL INEQUALITIES IN E South Africa’s education system is complex, with historical inequalities dating back to apartheid. Most of the country’s pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Language is THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENVIRONMENT + ENERGYHEALTHCULTURE + SOCIETYHOMECOVID-19ARTS CULTURE Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDCANADAMONASH UNIVERSITY ON THE CONVERSATION Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLEAUTHOR:

CARL PHILPOTT

Parosmia is a common smell disorder. It has been linked to viral infections and usually begins after the patient appears to have recovered from the infection. The fact it is popping up as a THE CONVERSATION : DES ANALYSES DE L’ACTUALITÉ PAR …TRANSLATE THIS PAGECONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS FREE PRATIQUECONVERSATION ANGLAIS ET FRANCAISTHE CONVERSATION MOVIECONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS PDFEXERCICES DE CONVERSATION EN FRANCAISCONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS Edité par des journalistes expérimentés, The Conversation offre des analyses informées et nourrit le débat sur les grands sujets qui touchent la planète. Mais nous suivons également à la VACCINE PASSPORTS: WHY THEY ARE GOOD FOR SOCIETY As more and more people get vaccinated, some governments are relying on “vaccine passports” as a way of reopening society. These

passports

BELARUS: WHY EUROPE IS ISSUING SANCTIONS IN RESPONSE TO The forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius over Belarus for the purpose of detaining dissident journalist Raman

Protasevich was a

AM I IMMUNE TO COVID-19 IF I HAVE ANTIBODIES? If you are curious whether you had COVID-19 in the past then yes, it makes sense to be tested. Be aware, however, that some of the tests to

date have shown a

THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENGLISH CONVERSATION PRACTICEFUN CONVERSATION QUESTIONS Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries

ALAN LESTER

Alan Lester's first degree was from the University of Cambridge and his PhD from the University of London. He has been at the University of Sussex since 2000, becoming Professor of Historical WHAT WAS HEALTHCARE LIKE BEFORE THE NHS? What was healthcare like before the NHS? July 3, 2018 9.19am EDT. On the eve of the NHS, the British healthcare system was possibly the best in the world. In THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENVIRONMENT + ENERGYHEALTHCULTURE + SOCIETYHOMECOVID-19ARTS CULTURE Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDCANADAMONASH UNIVERSITY ON THE CONVERSATION Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries COVID: A DISTORTED SENSE OF SMELL IS DANGEROUS BUT TREATABLEAUTHOR:

CARL PHILPOTT

Parosmia is a common smell disorder. It has been linked to viral infections and usually begins after the patient appears to have recovered from the infection. The fact it is popping up as a THE CONVERSATION : DES ANALYSES DE L’ACTUALITÉ PAR …TRANSLATE THIS PAGECONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS FREE PRATIQUECONVERSATION ANGLAIS ET FRANCAISTHE CONVERSATION MOVIECONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS PDFEXERCICES DE CONVERSATION EN FRANCAISCONVERSATION EN FRANCAIS Edité par des journalistes expérimentés, The Conversation offre des analyses informées et nourrit le débat sur les grands sujets qui touchent la planète. Mais nous suivons également à la VACCINE PASSPORTS: WHY THEY ARE GOOD FOR SOCIETY As more and more people get vaccinated, some governments are relying on “vaccine passports” as a way of reopening society. These

passports

BELARUS: WHY EUROPE IS ISSUING SANCTIONS IN RESPONSE TO The forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius over Belarus for the purpose of detaining dissident journalist Raman

Protasevich was a

AM I IMMUNE TO COVID-19 IF I HAVE ANTIBODIES? If you are curious whether you had COVID-19 in the past then yes, it makes sense to be tested. Be aware, however, that some of the tests to

date have shown a

THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS ANDENGLISH CONVERSATION PRACTICEFUN CONVERSATION QUESTIONS Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries

ALAN LESTER

Alan Lester's first degree was from the University of Cambridge and his PhD from the University of London. He has been at the University of Sussex since 2000, becoming Professor of Historical WHAT WAS HEALTHCARE LIKE BEFORE THE NHS? What was healthcare like before the NHS? July 3, 2018 9.19am EDT. On the eve of the NHS, the British healthcare system was possibly the best in the world. In THE CONVERSATION: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, NEWS AND Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries DOES COVID REALLY AFFECT YOUR HEART? Tim Chico does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond HOW PHIL COLLINS BECAME COOL (NO, REALLY) How Phil Collins became cool (no, really) May 19, 2021 9.10am EDT. In August 2020, a YouTube video featuring Tim and Fred Williams, 21-year

old

AM I IMMUNE TO COVID-19 IF I HAVE ANTIBODIES? If you are curious whether you had COVID-19 in the past then yes, it makes sense to be tested. Be aware, however, that some of the tests to

date have shown a

COVID-19: WHEN ARE YOU MOST INFECTIOUS? A close friend – let’s call him John – recently called, asking for advice. He woke up with severe muscle aches and fatigue. Understandably worried that it could be COVID-19, he asked whether WHY MASKS ARE A RELIGIOUS ISSUE These are important considerations for the debate over masks. Using religious language to justify an anti-mask position is a move intended to amplify the voices of CANCEL CULTURE LOOKS A LOT LIKE OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH Excommunicating a church member, like 'canceling' someone on social media, serves to cleanse the body politic of behavior deemed damaging, suggests a scholar of political theology.

POLITICS + SOCIETY

Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. Plus a Plain English guide to the latest developments and discoveries HOW CULTURE INFLUENCES CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT Culture plays a role in forming a child's identity, conversational style and memory. This has many implications for how to deal with children, from school to the judicial system. WHAT DOES THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DO? Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, was elected Thursday to serve as speaker of the House.It’s her second time in the job, which she held from 2007 to 2011. What does the speaker do? Second in the

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* Politics + Society * Science + Technology Neanderthal hunting grounds in southern Siberia — the Charysh River valley, with Chagyrskaya Cave in the centre of the photo. Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Author provided STONE TOOLS REVEAL EPIC TREK OF NOMADIC NEANDERTHALS January 27, 2020 6.07pm EST __ __ Kseniya Kolobova, _Russian Academy of Sciences_, Maciej T. Krajcarz, _ Polish Academy of Sciences_, Richard 'Bert' Roberts, _University of Wollongong_

AUTHORS

* Kseniya Kolobova

Leader research scientist, Russian Academy of Sciences * Maciej T. Krajcarz Associate Professor in Quaternary Geology, Polish Academy of Sciences * Richard 'Bert' Roberts Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), University of Wollongong DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Kseniya Kolobova receives funding from the Russian Science Foundation–Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Cooperation (projects 19-48-04107 and UT 41/8-1). Maciej T. Krajcarz receives funding from the National Science Centre, Poland (grant no. 2018/29/B/ST10/00906). Richard 'Bert' Roberts receives funding from the Australian Research

Council.

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Neanderthal (_Homo neanderthalensis_) fossils were first discovered in western Europe in the mid nineteenth century. That was just the first in a long line of surprises thrown up by our closest evolutionary

cousins.

We reveal another in our new study

of the

Neanderthals who lived in Chagyrskaya Cave in southern Siberia around 54,000 years ago. Their distinctive stone tools are dead ringers for those found thousands of kilometres away in eastern and central

Europe.

Chagyrskaya Cave in southern Siberia’s Altai Mountains and excavation of the archaeological deposits. Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Author provided The intercontinental journey made by these intrepid Neanderthals is equivalent to walking from Sydney to Perth, or from New York to Los Angeles, and is a rare example of long-distance migration by Palaeolithic people. KNUCKLEHEADS NO MORE For a long time Neanderthals were seen as intellectual lightweights. However, several recent finds have forced a rethink of their cognitive and creative abilities. Neanderthals are now believed to have created 176,000 year-old enigmatic structures made from broken stalactites in a cave in France

,

and cave art in Spain that dates back more than 65,000 years. They also used bird feathers

and pierced shells

bearing traces of red and yellow ochre, possibly as personal ornaments. It seems likely Neanderthals had cognitive capabilities and symbolic behaviours similar to those of modern humans (_Homo sapiens_). Our knowledge of their geographical range and the nature of their encounters with other groups of humans has also expanded greatly in

recent years.

We now know that Neanderthals ventured beyond Europe and western Asia, reaching at least as far east as the Altai Mountains. Here, they interbred with another group of archaic humans dubbed the Denisovans

.

------------------------- _ READ MORE: FRESH CLUES TO THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE DENISOVANS, A LITTLE-KNOWN ANCIENT GROUP OF HUMANS

_

------------------------- Traces of Neanderthal interactions with our own ancestors also persist in the DNA of all living people of Eurasian descent. However, we can still only speculate why the Neanderthals vanished around 40,000 years

ago.

BANISHED TO SIBERIA

Other questions also remain unresolved. When did Neanderthals first arrive in the Altai? Were there later migration events? Where did these trailblazers begin their trek? And what routes did they take

across Asia?

Chagyrskaya Cave

is nestled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. The cave deposits were first excavated in 2007 and have yielded almost 90,000 stone tools and numerous bone tools. The excavations have also found 74 Neanderthal fossils – the richest trove of any Altai site – and a range of animal and plant remains, including the abundant bones of bison hunted and butchered by the

Neanderthals.

We used optical dating to determine when the cave sediments, artefacts and fossils were deposited, and conducted a detailed study of more than 3,000 stone tools recovered from the deepest archaeological levels. Microscopy analysis revealed that these have remained intact and undisturbed since accumulating during a period of cold and dry climate about

54,000 years ago.

Using a variety of statistical techniques, we show that these artefacts bear a striking similarity to so-called Micoquian artefacts from central and eastern Europe. This type of Middle Palaeolithic

assemblage is

readily identified by the distinctive appearance of the bifaces – tools made by removing flakes from both sides – which were used to

cut meat.

Micoquian biface used as a meat knife by Neanderthals at Chagyrskaya Cave (left, showing both sides); and butchering of horse carcass using an experimentally manufactured biface (right). Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Author provided Micoquian-like tools have only been found at one other site in the Altai. All other archaeological assemblages in the Altai and central Asia lack these distinctive artefacts. Neanderthals carrying Micoquian tools may never have reached Denisova

Cave , as there is

no fossil or sedimentary DNA evidence of Neanderthals there after

100,000 years ago.

------------------------- _ READ MORE: DISHING THE DIRT: SEDIMENTS REVEAL A FAMOUS EARLY HUMAN CAVE SITE WAS ALSO HOME TO HYENAS AND WOLVES

_

-------------------------

GOING THE DISTANCE

The presence of Micoquian artefacts at Chagyrskaya Cave suggests at least two separate dispersals of Neanderthals into southern Siberia. Sites such as Denisova Cave were occupied by Neanderthals who entered the region before 100,000 years ago, while the Chagyrskaya Neanderthals arrived later. The Chagyrskaya artefacts most closely resemble those found at sites located 3,000–4,000 km to the west, between the Crimea and northern Caucasus in eastern Europe. Comparison of genetic data supports these geographical links, with the Chagyrskaya Neanderthal sharing closer affinities with several European Neanderthals than with a Neanderthal from Denisova Cave. When the Chagyrskaya toolmakers (or their ancestors) left their Neanderthal homeland in eastern Europe for central Asia around 60,000 years ago, they could have headed north and east around the land-locked Caspian Sea , which was much reduced in size under the prevailing cold and arid conditions. Early and later Neanderthal dispersals to southern Siberia. Kseniya Kolobova / Maciej Krajcarz / Victor Chabai, Author provided Their intercontinental odyssey over thousands of kilometres is a rarely observed case of long-distance dispersal in the Palaeolithic, and highlights the value of stone tools as culturally informative markers of ancient population movements. Environmental reconstructions from the animal and plant remains at Chagyrskaya Cave suggest that the Neanderthal inhabitants survived in the cold, dry and treeless environment by hunting bison and horses on the steppe or tundra-steppe landscape. Our discoveries reinforce the emerging view of Neanderthals as creative and intelligent people who were skilled survivors. If this was the case, it makes their extinction across Eurasia even more mysterious. Did modern humans deal the fatal blow? The enigma endures,

for now.

__

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* Neanderthals

* Ancient humans

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