A rare Neanderthal tool found in Wavre-Sainte-Catherine

A prehistoric artefact was discovered in the grounds of a primary school in Wavre-Sainte-Catherine, in the Antwerp province. This was announced by the communal college on Monday. It is Paleolithic era flint made by Neanderthals. Researchers from the Catholic University of Louvain (KUL) estimate the object is between 35,000 and 45,000 years old. The discovery was made by a volunteer who was gathering potatoes in the school’s pedagogic garden. The man noticed a particular stone with polished edges. “The volunteer spoke to the school’s director about the stone”, said Culture councilor Ronny Slootmans. “I went to the culture and heritage services for the commune, and I contacted the KUL on their advice”.

The university archeologists examined the stone and concluded that it was from the middle Paleolithic era. They say that the way the stone was shaped is typically Neanderthal. “This type of discovery is very rare in Flanders”, the councilor added. “This is even the first discovery of this type”.

The archeologists think the area would have been able to support Neanderthal man.

(Source: Belga)


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