Working.....

Even though I'm not finished with Neanderthal DNA and interbreeding, I thought I'd spread myself even thinner by looking into the claims for hafting using Birch tar in the Middle Palaeolithic. At the moment it's not looking good for the very recent claims coming from Inden-Altorf in Germany. Those from Campitello Quarry in Italy and Konigsau in Germany will be next on the list. 

     You see, I can't help being just as skeptical of the idea that Neanderthals were capable of dry-distilling birch bark as I ever was about purposeful burial, and twice as skeptical that they were hafting their lithic artifacts as I have always been that they would not be the sort of individuals you or I would want to date. 

I'm also working on a paean to the shovel-bum, the heart and sole of CRM in North America.

Hoping to roll them out in the next few days. It might require silent running for a day or so. Don't worry! I'll let you know when I return.

I've, sadly, had to shelve the Neanderthal face for the time being. I'm having trouble getting the information that I need to advance my thesis.

Finally, I have plans for another word painting. Here's a hint. What do Merritt Lake (near Elkhorn Slough on Monterey Bay), relic shellcrust sequences from eastern Australia, and California archaeology have in common? Definitely a golden Marshalltown if you can figure that one out! [Spawn of Endra is disqualified from this competition]

Thanks for dropping in. Don't forget. Penny in a mug!