|
| |
The Search for Neanderthals in North America
The unsanctioned race of amateur archaeologists to find pre-Clovis and
Neanderthal sites in America
(1st edition - December 2007) by A.O. Kime
 for information on
'renting' this article, see Rent-a-Article
While archaeologists believe it highly unlikely the ancient Neanderthals ever
inhabited North America, many of whom think it an impossible scenario,
ridiculous, the notion is nonetheless alive among some amateur archeologists.
Right or wrong, however they might be in the minority, they are members of a
growing group of concerned citizens who have taken it upon themselves to assure
the most accurate accounting is taking place regarding the ancient history of
North America.
The truthful aspects of antiquity is in jeopardy in North America due to the
political forces for the purpose of maintaining the status quo... for
convenience. Unfortunately, it has had the effect of leaving undisturbed and
thus fortifying the long-held but questionable claims of the American Indian
tribes, their native rights. American antiquity is also subject to institutional
manipulation for the purpose of maintaining control over the course of events...
it's a 'modeling' curiosity of anthropology. Combined, this inhibiting
atmosphere is unique to the North American continent.
Of course, any discovery of Neanderthals would vastly undermine contemporary
theories… the current professional belief North America wasn’t inhabited until
11,500-13,500 years ago. These ‘earliest arrivals’ are commonly referred to as
‘Clovis people’ (Paleo-Indians)… evidence of their existence having been first
discovered in Clovis, New Mexico in 1932.
While Neanderthals are thought to have been extinct for 24,000-33,000 years,
such a discovery would push back the actual date America was first inhabited
substantially. This time frame wouldn’t be out of the question either if the
recent (2003) discovery of human
footprints in central Mexico (external link) are actually 40,000 years old.
On the other hand, the results from radiocarbon-dating any remains of an
American Neanderthal might prove they didn’t die out quite so long ago.
Nonetheless, whatever the timeline, it would be a revelation... at least
squashing the current belief Neanderthals lived only in Europe and Asia.
Pre-Clovis and the politicized Kennewick man
While the majority of these concerned citizens are not suggesting Neanderthals
were once inhabitants of North America, or even suggesting a date quite that
long ago, several have recently claimed discovering evidence of ancient dwellers
pre-dating the Clovis peoples by several thousand years. Except… professional
archaeologists and anthropologists are ignoring these findings, to a man
purportedly. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the evidence isn’t credible.
After all, protecting the long-heralded beliefs of an institution has been
typical for ages. It has also been a matter of institutions jealously guarding
their turf… which effectively amounts to not allowing outsiders to tinker. While
tinkering amateurs would surely upset an organized process, over the ages
they’ve been known to have made numerous valuable contributions… however slow to
be accepted.
In the end, of course, science must prevail in this circumstance but all too
often the decades have witnessed archaeologists and anthropologists putting fame
and glory ahead of science. At least it often appears the case if overstating
the significance of a discovery and grandstanding qualifies. Charles
Darwin, of course, was one of the first guilty parties.
Further, since about the 1950s institutional self-protectionism seems to have
grown to include protecting personal reputations… which most likely means at the
expense of truth. After all, within an institution a contrary but truthful stance
is far more threatening to a career than a mistake. While surely most credentialed
individuals within the sciences of archaeology and anthropology are principled,
honorable, veracious and even likable, but to also be ‘beyond reproach’ has
always been a rare commodity since nobody likes standing in the unemployment
line.
In that laymen have sensed this in the antiquities business plus suspecting
professionals have been too quick to draw their conclusions, primarily over
their habit of treating each new discovery as if the ‘final word’, often to
linger for ages in the seldom-revised history books, it’s enough motivation for
anyone to strike out on their own. The truth, it seems, is a beckoning siren.
The Day’s Knob archaeological site
(external link) in Ohio is a great example of this determination in which Alan Day
succeeded in presenting positive evidence of ancient bird-worshiping which may prove
to be Pre-Clovis… except it has raised no visible interest within the archaeological
community. Included in our article Pre-Clovis Cultures in North
America are photographs of these artifacts and information about similar discoveries
in Tennessee and Pennsylvania. While another half-dozen other such sites potentially
exist, it is important to note they are all entrepreneurial (amateur) sites begging
professional involvement.
Of course, likewise frustrating are the political circumstances surrounding the
8,400 to 9,500 year-old remains of an individual found (1996) in Washington State
dubbed the Kennewick Man. While many scholars believed
him Caucasian, they were overruled by the then Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt
and deemed ‘indian’ (of Asian ancestry) instead... widely believed solely to
satisfy the wishes of the local American Indian tribes. While this suspicion can
be justified on the surface, surely the underlying reason was to maintain the
status-quo. After all, in supporting long-held contentions Babbitt could then
avoid having to deal with the possible consequences of a reversal decision.
Expediency has been the primary reason the status quo mindset has been so
persistent throughout history... a reality further provoking into action
the truth-seekers.
Evidence of Neanderthal believed found in Virginia among ancient relics...
professional assessment sought
Steven Elchook from Virginia is one the latest truth-seekers who believes he may
have supporting evidence that Neanderthal were once in America but, out of
caution (in the true spirit of scientific inquiry), remains typically
exasperated in his search for a professional assessment. His supporting
evidence, he believes, is some ancient anthropomorphic art, stone tools, a
Neanderthal jawbone (child) and individual teeth (a possible molar pictured).
While the regional archaeologist from the Department of Historical Resources in
Richmond, Virginia felt the Elchook finds weren’t in his field of expertise
being instead a matter for anthropology, he was at least somewhat supportive by
stating they may have enough merit to be further investigated. But, while he
suggested Elchook find a more qualified anthropologist… the archaeologist didn’t
refer him to one. Whether a brush-off or not, it became just another dead end.
While partially a matter of Mr. Elchook not having ties to the archaeological
community, it underscores the age-old adage “it’s not what you know but who you
know”. Whether due to human nature or the remnants of medievalism, this reality
should have no place in the sciences.
As an alternative, it had been suggested to Mr. Elchook he contact the
Smithsonian Institute... although the usefulness of this avenue remains in
question as well. After all, relics within a museum must have credentials and
therefore likely just another dead end.
Until his finds are professionally assessed, the haunting question… is this
pictured object Mr. Elchook discovered in Virginia really a tooth (molar) as he
believes? If so, is it Neanderthal?
While perhaps an anthropologist could judge by this photograph, the untrained eye might
tend to believe it only an innocent rock. Nonetheless, after viewing a half dozen
photographs of Mr. Elchook’s findings, a couple seemed to hold some promise...
particularly the unusual arrowhead pictured below. Compared to a wide variety of
other arrowheads, it is distinctively different.
At any rate, the lure of possibilities is overwhelming and the reason for
posting Elchook’s account (below). Hopefully it will draw the attention of some
open-minded anthropologists. His sincere convictions, doggedness and compelling
words were hard to ignore as well. He is also typical and therefore exemplifies a
modern-day phenomenon… well-intentioned citizens taking it upon themselves to find
the truth.
In reading his account you’ll agree his words compelling and devotion
commendable.
The area that these artifacts/fossil teeth were found is located approx. six
miles from the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg Va. Various creeks,
springs and ponds are also in the surrounding area. The soil that these
artifacts were found in is sandy and rocky. There is a creek nearby and a small
pond about a mile away. The land where these artifacts were found is flat and
spread out over an about acre of land.
There are three areas on this acre of land where these items have been found.
Some artifacts seem to have been dug up due to some nearby construction. These
were found near the surface of the ground and began to become visible after some
heavy rainfall. The first area is where a stone tool was found. The images
attached came from that stone tool. This stone tool is approx. two inches in
length and an inch and a half in width. It seems to be a hand tool used to strip
animal hide or to cut meat. There are images on this artifact that depict a
hunting scene. There is also red ochre that is still visible on this hand tool.
Other items found in the same area consist of a spear point. This is also about
an inch an a half in length. There appears to be engravings on both sides of
this spear point. One of these engravings is of a hunter holding a spear looking
at an animal in the distance. These images are very faded but can be seen in the
proper lighting. Another item found in this same area is a hammerstone. It has
an image of a small horse standing on a hill.
The second area is located about fifty feet from the first area. This is a very
sandy area. A large granite stone was found here about the size of football.
There are various engravings on this stone and also areas that were used to
sharpen or make stone tools. The spear point, for example, fits perfectly into
one of these shiny areas. Beneath this granite rock was found a stone with the
image of a man carved in the middle of it. There also are remains of a yellow
colored ochre on this stone. This area of land is where various fossil teeth
were found. The large fossil molar appears to match the molar found in the
museum of Wales, identified there to be from an early Neanderthal, was found in
this area about a foot beneath the surface. The fossil teeth that are similar to
those found in Yuanmoa China were also found in this same general area. Those
fossil teeth were identified in China to be from either Homo Erectus or possible
Neanderthal.
The third area is where a large fossil incisor was found located near a wooded
area about thirty feet from the second area. This large incisor appears to have
Neanderthal characteristics. The body of the tooth is enlarged and the inside
part of the tooth that faces the tongue has a prominent bulge. It was located
just below the surface of the ground. This tooth appears to be the same age as
the fossil molar that was found. Also found here were two rounded hammerstones
about the size of a baseball. There also was found stone artwork. This stone is
about half the size of a baseball and has been carved out. In the center of this
stone appears to be a man. The best way to describe this stone is that it
resembles a cave with an image of a man inside.
Exactly where these artifacts came from and the age of all of this is yet to be
determined. This would require a hands-on examination of these fossil teeth and
molar by a paleoanthropologist to make that determination. My personal opinion
from what I have found and researched is that this could be evidence of a
Neanderthal presence in the distant past and possibly even Homo erectus. Fossil
teeth seem to match those of other fossil teeth found in other places around the
world. Some images found on stone tools also seem to have characteristics of
Neanderthals such a heavy brow ridge and a flat sloping forehead. Homo Erectus
also had a prominent brow ridge.
In July 2007 I made an appointment with the Department of Historical Resources
in Richmond, Virginia to meet with the regional archaeologist. The purpose of
this meeting was for him to physically examine the artifacts, stone tools,
fossil teeth and a large molar I had found here in Virginia. When he began to
examine the molar, I suggested that we log on to the Internet and go to the
museum of Wales website.
A large adult molar of an early Neanderthal that was found in Pontnewydd cave in
Wales is pictured there. I felt the Neanderthal molar pictured on that website had
very similar characteristics to the molar that I had found in Virginia. He visually
examined the image of the molar in the museum of Wales website and agreed that there
were strong similarities to the fossil molar I had found here in Virginia. He then
proceeded to take photographs of the fossil teeth and molar I had found. He
commented that the molar that I had found appeared older than the molar pictured
in the museum website due to the level of fossilization that had occurred. He
then suggested that I contact a Paleoanthropologist to examine the fossil teeth
and molar I had found to confirm that these were actually Neanderthal, since
this was out of his field of his expertise.
My objective here is to raise an interest in this discovery and have it further
examined by someone who has similar interests in a professional manner.
Steven Elchook
November 2007
email: sve@gte.net
While the Elchook findings may not prove to be Neanderthal, or even
‘pre-Clovis’, at least they should be investigated and the point of this
article. Ignoring a request to assess a finding seems an odd circumstance
considering these professionals are employed directly or indirectly by governments
presumably for the good of the public. After all, no policeman would refuse to
check out a corpse unless they found it themselves.
Only in December of 2007 was the partially
mummified hadrosaur
(external link) found in North Dakota by a teenager in 2000 revealed. This time
lapse seems to indicate he likewise had trouble drawing attention to this most
complete dinosaur yet known. Although we didn’t ask him whether this was true or
not, it didn’t seem necessary… ultimately to become involved was a paleontologist
from the University of Manchester in Britain (conspicuously absent and gone
unmentioned in a TV interview were any of his counterparts from America).
While the habit of giving credit to individuals for a discovery has had a
positive effect on progress within almost every science, curiously some fields
associated with archaeology seems the exception (a suspected negative effect).
While individualism helps assure accuracy, with reputations on the line it can
also dissuade venturing into uncharted territory lest be associated with the
unconventional. If any of these sciences are indeed guilty of treating their
unconventional-thinking associates as lepers then, as a result, important truths
could be overlooked, treated with bias, or shelved.
Perhaps this curiosity could be attributed to atheism, specifically the fear of
upsetting the theory of evolution… being then more applicable to anthropologists
(less-so archaeologists). Such an atmosphere would, after all, be a strong
influence capable of clouding the truth. Strictly adhering to atheism is no
different than strictly adhering to a religious doctrine … it is medievalism. It
has no place in science either… let the chips fall where they may (they won’t
fall on any ape however).
While most all scientists have the same atheistic mindset, few tread on ground any
closer to the chance of uncovering the divine truth about human origins than
paleoanthropologists. Even though the possibility of a provocative discovery is
unlikely for quite some time, as the saying goes "all roads lead to Rome".
Whether a blockbuster or one artifact at a time, it will lead to the truth…
provided, of course, all discoveries are shared (without bias).
A.O. Kime
These incredible books by A.O. Kime are available here!
~ purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Authorhouse ~
 |
Wisdom from the Golden Ages!
As the ancients did, learn how to discover the secrets of life... |
 |
The real story of the Stone Age!
Learn we didn't evolve from an ape nor crawled from the sea...
|
Ask your bookstore for titles by A.O.
Kime
~ America's finest metaphysician and philosopher ~
click here to read some of his great articles
This website and contents are explained in our Introduction
>TOP
>HOME
... the place of smoke signals from
the spirit world
| |
A.O. Kime
articles
—AGRICULTURE
Biocontrols
Bio-oddities
DDT ban
Family farmers
Family farms
Farm socialism
Kansas Settlement
—ANTIQUITY
American cavemen
Ancient history
Ancient pyramids
Caveman facts
Caveman story
Cavemen-cultural
Charles Darwin
Cumbemayo
Evolution
Kennewick Man
Montezuma Castle
Neanderthals
Pre-Clovis cultures
Shoofly Village ruins
Stone Age history
Stone Age timelines
Stone Age tools
—METAPHYSICAL
Bodhisattva
Death
Divine
intelligence
Dreams
Enlightenment
Ethics
Guardian angels
Hope
Imagination
Immortality
Instincts
Land (the)
Matrix (real)
Metaphysics
Mnemosyne
Muse
Phenomena
Plotinus
Poetry
Polytheism
Semantics
Sixth sense
Spiritual soul
Spirit world
Subconscious mind
Suicide
Supernatural
—SOCIOPOLITICAL
19th Century
Arrogance
Civil wars
Civilization
Coolness
Economic injustices
Establishment
Foreign policies
Freedom
Globalization
Grand Jury
Herodotus
Int'l Criminal Court
Majority rule
Megalomania
Politesse
Proposition 203
Power lust
Rule of law
Sovereign immunity
Tobacco taxation
War criminals
World wars
|
METAPHYSICS·
ANCIENT HISTORY· SOCIOPOLITICAL ISSUES· AGRICULTURE· DIRECTORIES
