During the survey of Althorp House, the residence of Princess Diana’s family, scientists were astonished to discover numerous intricately crafted shell fragments dating back… 40,000 years, created by a different species of humanity.
According to Ancient Origins, the initial target of the archaeologists was a medieval village named Olletorp, abandoned after the devastating plague in the 14th century, as recorded in history.
Researchers from the Institute of Digital Archaeology (IDA – UK) explored the house and garden grounds through numerous pits and trenches in the garden, utilizing ground-penetrating radar technology, uncovering hundreds of artifacts from the ancient village.
Althorp House contains the ruins of a medieval village and a large settlement belonging to a different species of humanity – (Photo: IDA).
However, according to The Telegraph, they discovered further evidence of a great settlement from the Paleolithic era, not constructed by modern Homo sapiens but by our “cousins” from the genus Homo, the Neanderthals.
Shell fragments are jewelry belonging to another species of humanity – (Photo: Althorp House)
Radiocarbon dating of the carved shell fragments used as jewelry indicates they are 40,000 years old. This makes the site one of the oldest settlements excavated across England.
Archaeologists state that the Neanderthals inhabited England approximately 400,000 years ago, migrating elsewhere due to climate changes and glacial movements, then returning to England to settle permanently around 50,000 years ago until their extinction (about 30,000 years ago).
Other tools belonging to the Neanderthals – (Photo: IDA).
The shell fragments were found in a pit alongside deer antlers and flint, indicating this was a tool-making site. Neanderthals, with a wealth of impressive evidence uncovered in recent years, are believed to have developed skills comparable to Homo sapiens. Their settlements were often intricately designed with separate residential areas, burial grounds, tool-making workshops, and distinct animal slaughter sites.
According to Dr. Roger Michel from IDA, these shell fragments may have been crafted as decorative items or strung together to create jewelry.
