Date Published: 11/08/2017
ARCHIVED - Important human remains found at Sima de las Palomas site in Torre Pacheco

The latest findings date Neanderthal Man in Torre Pacheco to 130,000 years ago
This year’s annual archaeological and paleontological dig at the Sima de las Palomas site in Torre Pacheco has produced important new findings which increase the number of partial Neanderthal Man skeletons found there to twelve, as well as extending the date of pre-human occupation of the cave back to approximately 130,000 years ago.
As has been the case for the last 25 years the excavations this month were overseen by Professor
Michael J. Walker of the University of Murcia, and the most exciting finding was that of part of a child’s jawbone. This follows the discovery last year of Neanderthal teeth, and as researchers dig to ever deeper levels it also means that there is evidence of habitation in the cave longer ago than had been thought until now.
The August 2017 dig also produced more animal remains as well as numerous tools fashioned from flint, marble and quartz, and every year the Sima de las Palomas grows in importance as older and older items are uncovered. Just a decade ago the first three partial skeletons found gave the cave an age of over 50,000 years in terms of how long ago our ancestors used it, and by last year that figure had been extended to around 90,000 years: now, the first analyses of this year’s findings suggest that prehistoric man was living in what is now the municipality of Torre Pacheco 130,000 years ago.
As it grows in prestige the Sima de las Palomas site also grows in popularity, and this year the “open doors” day held last Sunday attracted over 700 curious visitors. Next year it is expected that work to build and prepare the Museum of Paleontology and Human Evolution of Torre Pacheco will be completed, enabling visitors to see objects found at one of the most important Neanderthal sites in the Mediterranean.
The Sima de las Palomas is located on Cabezo Gordo, the striking mound which rises up above the flat plain of the Campo de Cartagena, and over 150 individual fossilized human remains have been discovered there: some of the 12 individuals to whom these remains belong appear to have been buried beneath a rock fall while inside the caves.
There are also bones from lions, panthers, hippopotamus, hyenas, rhinos, horses, tortoises rabbits and birds, all of which lived in this area, and many stone tools which would have been used by our distant ancestors in the course of their daily lives for hunting, fishing, and processing their prey.
The Cabezo Gordo itself was mined extensively for both stone and minerals until 1917, but since 1991 groups of students have been coming from all over the world for the summer field camp under the direction of Professor Walker.
Main image: Professor Walker (centre) during the presentation of the results of this year’s dig at Sima de las Palomas
For more local news, events and other information go to the Torre Pacheco section of Murcia Today.
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