A Child's Burial 78,000 Years Ago Found in Kenya
2021-05-11
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1It is a place of sadness: a child perhaps 2-1/2 or 3 years old buried under the overhang of a cave, the upper part of the body once carefully wrapped in a cloth.
2Scientists said last week they have found the oldest-known human burial in Africa, the continent that gave rise to our species.
3The area dates to about 78,000 years ago at a cave called Panga ya Saidi near the Kenyan coast.
4Scientists called the child 'Mtoto,' which means 'child' in Swahili.
5The discovery explains some of the development of early social behaviors in human species, known as Homo sapiens, researchers say.
6María Martinón-Torres is the director of the National Research Center on Human Evolution (CENIEH) in Spain.
7She is also the lead author of the study published in the publication Nature.
8Martinón-Torres said the child was buried near where he lived.
9She added, "Only humans treat the dead with the same respect, consideration and even tenderness they treat the living.
10Even when we die, we continue to be someone for our group."
11Human species first appeared in Africa more than 300,000 years ago, later spreading worldwide.
12The remains of the bones were found in a round hole.
13They were secured in plaster and later taken to the research center for study.
14The researchers believe that the child was placed in the grave with his knees upward, lying on his side.
15It is not yet known if the child is a male or female.
16The body was fresh when it was buried, then quickly covered with dirt from the floor of the cave.
17"This would likely have been a group act, perhaps by members of the child's family.
18All of these behaviors are, of course, very similar to those observed in our own species today, so we can relate to this act even though the burial dates to 78,000 years ago," said study co-author Nicole Boivin.
19She is an archaeologist and director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany.
20The researchers wondered about the special meaning of a child's burial.
21It is unclear when funereal behavior began, but both Homo sapiens and its closely related species, Neanderthal, practiced it.
22Martinón-Torres called it "a type of behavior that allow us to maintain links with those who died and offer a farewell."
23The oldest Neanderthal burial area, in Israel, dates to about 120,000 years ago, similar in age to the oldest-known Homo sapiens burials, also in Israel, Boivin said.
24The researchers said it is unclear whether funereal behavior began outside Africa and was later practiced in Africa or began in Africa.
25There is not enough archeological evidence to know.
26Mtoto was part of a hunter-gatherer culture.
27Animal remains were also found in the area, set in a forest.
28Stone tools were also found, including pointed stones for weapons.
29"So, we have a picture of what life was like at the time of Mtoto's life and death," Boivin said.
30I'm Susan Shand.
1It is a place of sadness: a child perhaps 2-1/2 or 3 years old buried under the overhang of a cave, the upper part of the body once carefully wrapped in a cloth. 2Scientists said last week they have found the oldest-known human burial in Africa, the continent that gave rise to our species. The area dates to about 78,000 years ago at a cave called Panga ya Saidi near the Kenyan coast. Scientists called the child 'Mtoto,' which means 'child' in Swahili. 3The discovery explains some of the development of early social behaviors in human species, known as Homo sapiens, researchers say. 4María Martinón-Torres is the director of the National Research Center on Human Evolution (CENIEH) in Spain. She is also the lead author of the study published in the publication Nature. 5Martinón-Torres said the child was buried near where he lived. She added, "Only humans treat the dead with the same respect, consideration and even tenderness they treat the living. Even when we die, we continue to be someone for our group." 6Human species first appeared in Africa more than 300,000 years ago, later spreading worldwide. 7The remains of the bones were found in a round hole. They were secured in plaster and later taken to the research center for study. 8The researchers believe that the child was placed in the grave with his knees upward, lying on his side. It is not yet known if the child is a male or female. 9The body was fresh when it was buried, then quickly covered with dirt from the floor of the cave. 10"This would likely have been a group act, perhaps by members of the child's family. All of these behaviors are, of course, very similar to those observed in our own species today, so we can relate to this act even though the burial dates to 78,000 years ago," said study co-author Nicole Boivin. She is an archaeologist and director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany. 11The researchers wondered about the special meaning of a child's burial. 12It is unclear when funereal behavior began, but both Homo sapiens and its closely related species, Neanderthal, practiced it. Martinón-Torres called it "a type of behavior that allow us to maintain links with those who died and offer a farewell." 13The oldest Neanderthal burial area, in Israel, dates to about 120,000 years ago, similar in age to the oldest-known Homo sapiens burials, also in Israel, Boivin said. 14The researchers said it is unclear whether funereal behavior began outside Africa and was later practiced in Africa or began in Africa. There is not enough archeological evidence to know. 15Mtoto was part of a hunter-gatherer culture. Animal remains were also found in the area, set in a forest. Stone tools were also found, including pointed stones for weapons. 16"So, we have a picture of what life was like at the time of Mtoto's life and death," Boivin said. 17I'm Susan Shand. 18The Reuters News Agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 19__________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21cave - n. large hole that was formed by natural processes in the side of a cliff or hill or under the ground 22species - n. group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants 23tender - adj. very loving and gentle 24plaster - n. a wet substance that hardens when it becomes dry and that is used to make smooth walls and ceilings 25archaeologist - n. a science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people 26funereal -adj. very sad and serious : suggesting a funeral 27farewell - n. goodbye 28We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page.