The Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts an exhibition on Neanderthals organised by some UB research groups

The Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts this exhibition from 14 November to 16 February.
The Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts this exhibition from 14 November to 16 February.
Research
(14/11/2013)

From 14 November to 16 February, the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts the exhibition “Neanderthals in Catalonia”, organised by the UB research groups Seminar on Prehistoric Studies and Research (SERP-GRQ), Teaching and Learning of Heritage, Museum Studies and New Technologies (DIDPATRI) and the Museum. The exhibition, which was exhibited at Miramar Building, in Sitges, last summer, gives information about Neanderthal sites in Catalonia and the environment in which Homo neanderthalensis lived in Europe 37,000 years ago, a species that co-existed with modern humans. The exhibition shows illustrations and texts as well as some fossils, such as the Neanderthal jaw that UB researchers found in Sitges in 2005, one of the scarce Neanderthal remains found in Catalonia.

The Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts this exhibition from 14 November to 16 February.
The Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts this exhibition from 14 November to 16 February.
Research
14/11/2013

From 14 November to 16 February, the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia hosts the exhibition “Neanderthals in Catalonia”, organised by the UB research groups Seminar on Prehistoric Studies and Research (SERP-GRQ), Teaching and Learning of Heritage, Museum Studies and New Technologies (DIDPATRI) and the Museum. The exhibition, which was exhibited at Miramar Building, in Sitges, last summer, gives information about Neanderthal sites in Catalonia and the environment in which Homo neanderthalensis lived in Europe 37,000 years ago, a species that co-existed with modern humans. The exhibition shows illustrations and texts as well as some fossils, such as the Neanderthal jaw that UB researchers found in Sitges in 2005, one of the scarce Neanderthal remains found in Catalonia.

“Neanderthals in Catalonia” also includes remains of fauna from the last Ice Age, such as deer, horses and hyenas, found in the Gegant Cave in Sitges. It explains the characteristics of Neanderthalsʼ diet, largely based on meat consumption complemented with fish, seafood and vegetables; describes their beliefs, and provides information about the environment in which they lived. Moreover, it explains that there are only two sites where human Neanderthal remains have been found in Catalonia: an ancient quarry found at Pla de la Formiga, near Banyoles (Girona), and the Gegant Cave, in Sitges. Besides, some remains that researchers have not been able to determine if they belong to a Neanderthal or a pre-Neanderthal were found at the Mollet Cave (Serinyà, Girona). In addition, the exhibition offers a workshop designed by the reseach group DIDPATRI and conducted by the company Schola. Didàctica Activa.

 
Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are an extinct species closely related to modern humans. They are known from fossils, dating from the Pleistocene period, which have been found in Europe and parts of Western and Central Asia (300,000-135,000 years ago). Their social organisation was complex and similar to the one of modern humans (Homo sapiens); they gave a special treatment to some of their deaths; they use ornaments and pigments; they were really good at producing fire, their cranial capacity was large, and they were extraordinarily strong. There is not scientific consensus about the speciesʼ origin and evolution, or how it was extinct, although it is thought that it was replaced by modern humans.