Shanidar Cave and the changing perceptions of Neanderthals
Earlier this month, an insightful virtual talk featuring Johnian and Fellow Professor Graeme Barker (1965) explored the latest discoveries from the Shanidar Cave Project. This ongoing excavation has been reshaping the understanding of Neanderthals, challenging long-held misconceptions and highlighting their complex social structures.
Ever since their discovery over 150 years ago, Neanderthals have often been portrayed in a negative light. However, emerging evidence from the iconic site of Shanidar Cave (Iraqi Kurdistan) tells a different story. The cave first gained prominence through excavations conducted between 1951 and 1960 by Ralph Solecki of Columbia University. His discoveries included the skeletal remains of Neanderthals. One of the remains showed signs of severe injuries sustained in youth but had survived into adulthood – strong evidence that he had been cared for by his community. Another notable find was a burial that Solecki controversially suggested had been adorned with flowers, hinting at possible symbolic or ritualistic behaviour among Neanderthals.
Since 2015, new excavations led by Graeme in collaboration with the Kurdistan Directorate of Antiquities and the University of Cambridge have provided even more compelling insights into the lives of the Shanidar Neanderthals. These findings suggest that Neanderthals exhibited greater social complexity than previously assumed, reinforcing their status as our closest evolutionary cousins.
The virtual talk also delved into the broader implications of these discoveries. One of the unexpected consequences of renewed research at Shanidar Cave has been its intersection with Kurdish identity politics. The past, even when it extends back tens of thousands of years, remains deeply intertwined with contemporary cultural and political narratives.
For those eager to learn more, the Netflix documentary Secrets of the Neanderthals, released in May 2024, offers a closer look at the ongoing work at Shanidar Cave. Or, if you would like to hear Graeme’s talk yourself , you can access the recording here.
With groundbreaking discoveries continuing to emerge, the Shanidar Cave Project remains a fascinating endeavour that challenges perceptions of our ancient relatives and their place in human history.
