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Caucasus
Hominids may have taken care of their elderly parents

Mis en ligne le 18/04/2005

A new fossil found at a site in Dmnanisi in the Republic of Georgia has indicated that ancient hominids from the Caucasus may have fed and cared for their elderly. The 1.77 million-year old specimen, which is described in Nature Magazine, was completely toothless – but for the left canine - and well over 40 : a grand old age at the time. The well-preserved skull belonged to a male Homo erectus.

This may suggest that the creature lived in a complex society which was capable of showing compassion.
Researchers think that these hominids – like humans – may have valued the old for their years of acquired knowledge.
The International Herald Tribune (Skull suggests compassionate early humans ; 08/04/2005) reports that according to palaeoanthropologists, the ageing individual – who lost his teeth before death – would not have been able to chew the raw meat or fibrous plants which made up the creatures' normal diet.
Researchers believe this "old man" must have been kept alive by being fed the choice soft morsels like brain, marrow and berries.
It is possible that the toothless man was an extremely useful member of his society.
Elderly members of the group may also have been valuable for cultural reasons, just like in modern societies.

www.iht.com

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