The Search for Neanderthals in North America

chest of gold

The 'unsanctioned' race of amateur archaeologists to find pre-Clovis and Neanderthal sites in America

(1st edition - December 2007) by A.O. Kime
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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 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 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.

fossilized molar 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.

arrowhead 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 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

Go back to (or see more) articles on ancient history
Also see American Cavemen - the likelihood cavemen were in America is explored
Also see Day’s Knob site (a 'pre-Clovis' excavation)
Also see The Caveman from Washington State
For an interesting article about the possible origins of North American cavemen see Baboquivari
For another estimation on the life of cavemen see Early Religion
See Stone Age man wasn't so dumb (a "New Finds at Blombos Cave" article)

Last modified: 06/22/10