| The 'Pit Feature' |
| Excavation continued in the unique cavity ‘feature’ in square M16. It continues to look more and more like a channel carved into the bedrock by natural erosional processes long before Neandertals began using the site – and not a pit that the Neandertals themselves created. |
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The questions that remain are: |
| a)
Are the sediments in this channel the result of intentional infilling by people (either through use as a refuse pit or for burying their dead) or due to natural accumulation of sediments?
So far we have found no human remains in the channel and we strongly suspect that if Neandertals were using this natural cavity it was for rather mundane purposes - like tossing the remains of their meals there. |
| b) How far back into the bedrock does the channel go? We would like to get a better understanding of both the extent and morphology of the channel and the nature of its fill. Towards this end we are discussing opening up 1 or 2 more adjacent squares next season. |
