FigLeafe

From across this grey land...

(Dead but dreaming)

Xiberia (Seasons In The Ice Cage)

Neanderthal;  Nephilim?
Is Carbon 14 Dating system seriously floored?
Part I

Introduction:

A speculative research paper examining current evidence available on Neanderthal man with comparison to references in early manuscripts of the Nephilim an ancient race of half-breed humans. The argument is presented that the scientific facts verify that the Neanderthal were in fact one and the same as the ancient warrior race the Nephilim. It is here proposed that an examination of the evidence and facts currently available on Neanderthal man reveal that they could well have been a race of half-breed humans referred to in some of the earliest manuscripts found as the Nephilim.

Background:

Neanderthal man has become an enigma to science once being hailed as the proof of the evolution of apes to modern man. He was considered to be the brutish ancestor link to man in the evolution chain, the intermediate stage between man and ape.
Now! Neanderthal is recognised by scientists as a contemporary of modern man living alongside humans having many human attributes. But amazingly with a LARGER brain than mans! Were they the Nephilim?

To address the question we first need to examine the current facts and information available on Neanderthal man.

1. The archaeological history of Neanderthal finds:

In 1856 workers in the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, Germany uncovered a skull and bones. The skull was unlike anything seen before, having a flattened cranium with a heavy brow ridge above large eye sockets. Nearby, workers also uncovered an assortment of thick and heavily fossilized bones. In succeeding years many further specimens have been found, not only in the German Neander Valley, but in France, Italy, Iraq and Israel.

Controversy surrounded the interpretation of these fossils. Initially a German Anatomist Rudolf Virchow examined the first discovery and concluded they were Homo sapien with rickets, caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. He considered that the flattened head was caused by repeated powerful blows (his examination was done pre Darwinism 1859 ).

When more finds came to light with what also appeared to be rickets, it was considered far too much of a coincidence and for lack of any other explanation they became relegated to a sub-human category. The French palaeontologist Marcellin Boule, concluded Neanderthals walked stooped forward which fitted in with the then new current thinking of Darwin's evolutionary theory of the origin of man ( these new assumptions were made post Darwinism 1859). For the next fifty years this created the popular image of an ape-man intermediary to man. Science thought it had the conclusive evidence it badly needed showing the missing stage between ape and man

Over one hundred years after first being found Boule's skeleton was re-examined in 1957 and it was now determined that Neanderthals walked upright and that the stooped posture suggested by Boule's skeleton was created by arthritis. More evidence from various caves and digs has shown that Neanderthals wielded tools and weapons, wore ornaments, had cultural and religious rites, ceremoniously burying their dead.

2. The Neanderthal Brain Size:

The greatest enigma found with Neanderthal is their brain size, which is more than 13% larger than our own brain size. The average Neanderthal brain measured 1,500 millilitres in volume compared to less than 1,400 millilitres for humans current world-wide average. This brain size allowed for large cerebral hemispheres. Neanderthals were intelligent thinkers. Yet they left almost no permanent record of their presumed intelligence or culture. Some say he could walk the streets today in a suit collar and tie and be unrecognised, well maybe in New York, but about as unrecognisable as the incredible hulk without his green paint, would be a fairer reflection. Yet today study books continue to be full of illustrations of Neanderthals as subhuman ape-men. Out of date TV documentaries go on wrongly depicting Neanderthals as the evolutionary ape-man link.

3. The Physical Features of Neanderthal:

Neanderthals were physically very strong and unquestionably tough, a physically impressive race. Males averaged about 1m 75 cm; females 1m 60 cm, Neanderthals were considerably stronger and tougher. Their joints, were larger; their bones thicker. The fossils indicate they were substantially more muscled including the children. Neanderthal fossils lack the predominant chin of humans and a last set of molars. They had well muscled chests, long bodies, with shorter legs. Some fossil specimens (not all), have hip sockets more splayed than modern humans. The size of the skull eye sockets would have carried very large eyeballs.

Through examining the attachment points at which muscle binds to their bones it has been illustrated that their calves and biceps were extremely well developed as well as their pectoral chest and back muscles. A Neanderthal, because of this greater muscle mass, would weigh some ten kilos more than a modern human of equivalent height. They were regular Mr Universes.

4. Neanderthals possessed advanced skills:

Neanderthals used fire for heating, cooking and manufacturing. They probably crafted leather and fur garments of various types. Had a relatively advanced tool and weapon making culture manufacturing a large variety of finely-edged, sophisticated flint tools and weapons. This industry is characterised by the many tool types found, including spear points, stone lances and wooden spears with fire hardened points. Neanderthals made these different types of implements, for both "military" and domestic use, it provides evidence of their ability to plan, think and scheme.

5. Language:

Almost certainly, the Neanderthal race possessed advanced language. Fossil remains indicate Neanderthal voice boxes containing the vocal cords were capable of making the same sounds as modern humans. As they lived alongside humans it is reasonable to conclude they spoke the same language or if not learned to speak it becoming bi-lingual.

6. Command and appreciation of Music:

In a cave in Slovenia Yugoslavia, archaeologists consider they have unearthed the world's oldest true musical instrument, a flute which appears to have been made by Neanderthals. Broken at both ends, the 12 cm long instrument is made out of the leg bone of a young bear still retaining its four finger holes. Apart from being considered the oldest musical instrument in the world, this flute's greatest significance lies in its association with Neanderthal man's ability to produce music, and make musical instruments. The Neanderthal race could have composed music, sung to it and possibly danced to it no differently than humans today. The ability to create music on a multiple note instrument reveals evidence of imagination and abstract thought. It would therefore be reasonable to conclude that these same qualities would have also been put to use in other skills such as reading and writing.

7. Neanderthal Culture:

There is evidence indicating that Neanderthals possessed a sense of community spirit by performing ritual burials and caring for the old and sick. Remains of several physically impaired individuals have been uncovered. Some recovered skeletons display old, healed injuries suggesting their wounds or injuries were treated and cared for. In a cave in Iraq, archaeologists uncovered skeletons of a man, two women and an infant buried together in soil containing pollen of flowers. The flowers, being set there by survivors, strongly suggests that Neanderthals thought and cared for their dead.

Analysis of the sediment pollen concentrated in batches, implied that possible bunches of flowers had been placed on the grave. Closer examination of the pollen enabled scientists to identify many flowers that were present, all of which had some therapeutic properties. Were they part of an aromatic preparation, a kind of pot-pourri for the dead, or perfumed oils used in ointment preparations? If so an appreciation of the cosmetic appearance of flowers and perfumed fragrances existed, much the same as today with our embalming of the body with fragrances and the use of flowers at funerals. These flowers also testify to a warm climate and the abundant floral varieties availability at the time.

8. Neanderthal Burial tombs:

It is possible Neanderthals chose certain caves to use as burial 'tombs' this would account for the fact that so many of the remains of Neanderthals have been found buried in caves. This practice would be similar to more recent human cultures who in certain parts of the world used memorial tombs often carved out of the inside of a natural caves using a stone rolled in front of the entrance to seal shut the tomb cave.

Evidence of Neanderthal skeletons buried in excavated graves in the ground suggests concern over the concepts of life and death. Value being placed on the dead person, funerals being a part of the social and psychological practices for dealing with death.

9. Neanderthals exercised abstract thinking concepts:

Neanderthals show signs of being a social race in which the old and the injured were taken care of instead of simply left to die as with animals. Individuals of well advanced years, have been found which support the idea that they exercised "humanity", mental thought principles over physical actions. Religion is a characteristic of the human species. In order to have religion, one must be capable of abstract thought and reasoning. Without such abilities, the concepts of life and death or a God could not be imagined. It appears the Neanderthal race possessed some of these attributes.

Unlike humans however, there is evidence presented by the scientists that the male/female role interplay as practised by humans in family activity was not carried out by Neanderthals. There is no evidence of couples or family oriented activities among Neanderthals such as taking meals together. This stands out in contrast to their closeness in so many other ways to humans.

10. Cruel Warriors:

There is evidence however that Neanderthals were cruel warriors and fighters suffering and inflicting battle wounds, mutilations, torture and maiming, they may also have practised cannibalism. In France archaeologists uncovered 2 fragments of leg bones and 3 arm bones. Some scientists believe that these bones show signs of being fractured while still fresh. Another Neanderthal site containing human bone fragments shows signs of cuts and burns. The presence of burns on the bones is significant since no animal, other than humans, makes deliberate use of fire in food preparation. These burnt and intentionally broken human bones have been interpreted as being evidence of some form of cannibalism, Neanderthals eating humans. They could equally be evidence of torture and or mutilation by dismemberment as has often been the case within certain human cultures who engage in cruel battle blood lust.

11. Neanderthals lived along side with Humans:

Researchers working in caves in Israel have unearthed skeletons of both Neanderthals and modern humans. These Neanderthal remains have been dated back some 60,000 years (see revised information on dating ); the accompanying "modern" humans skeletons back 92,000 years.

If the dates are correct, modern type humans were around for a long time 'before' the Neanderthals appeared. After they did arrive on the scene "modern humans" appear to have coexisted with Neanderthals, sharing living areas together with them for some time, until they the Neanderthals went extinct. Although it appears that Neanderthals and modern humans were contemporary, inhabiting the same geographic areas and living areas Neanderthals did not interbreed with humans.

12. Scientists dating the extinction of the Neanderthal race:

There is evidence that both 'types' exchanged ideas, at least in how to make tools. As a result, the idea that Homo Neanderthalensis directly evolved into Homo sapiens now seems wildly improbable.

According to present scientific thinking the fossil record of Neanderthals abruptly ends about 30,000 to 35,000 years ago (see revised information on dating). After this time only Homo Sapiens dominate the scene. Researchers make the comment that "Why Neanderthals suddenly went extinct is a topic of much question we may never know the true reason."

Radiocarbon analysis puts the later Neanderthal sites as being c 32,500 years old. So some 32,000 years ago Neanderthals disappeared completely; they simply vanished for no clear reason.

Today Neanderthal is classified as totally human - Homo sapien (humankind). What happened to them? Some scientist theorise that this Homo sapien race, 'us humans', killed off the Neanderthal race. So did a physically and mental inferior race, humans exterminate a physically and mentally superior race Neanderthals?? Logic dictates that if one race extinguished the other, the Neanderthal race with their superior strength and mental abilities should have exterminated the inferior human race!

This, of course, is the ultimate question, one that continues to divide and baffle experts, one that I shall endeavour to provide rational explanations for in this paper, covering all the above criteria.

13. How science determines Neanderthal dating:

The scientists as we have seen date the period of the Neanderthals to end c32,500 years ago. How do they arrive at this date? what scientific processes do they use to come to this conclusion? Surprisingly as it may seem it is all based on 'relative' methods "guess work". Ridiculous! Have a look at the facts, when we do we are faced with an unusual situation that exists no where else in the sciences.

The scientists have created a theoretic "geological column chart" on which the theory of evolution is hung. The most recent chart, now used in most museums and universities is that drawn up by Van Eysinga in 1975. This chart covers some 600 million years dividing time into periods, i.e.. Cretaceous 65 to 140 million year ago; Jurassic 140 to 195 million years ago etc. etc. This chart cannot be found in nature, it is theoretical, pieced together from various inter-related strata from all over the world. The vast time periods that have been allocated in the chart to facilitate the slow burying of fossils which formed the sedimentary rock layers cannot be proved or illustrated in any deposits being formed today it is all calculated and based on estimated guess work.

When a geologist has difficulty dating a rock stratum he requests the evolutionists opinion on the date of the fossils the rock contains, this then becomes its 'established' age date. When an evolutionist has difficulty dating a fossil he requests the geologists opinion on the age of the rock containing the fossil which then becomes its 'accepted' age date. A case of two theories being cross referenced in order to establish a so called fact??

14. Using the Carbon dating clock (C14):

Technically the carbon dating process is very accurate, making precise calculations according to a set formula. The clock itself works very well; like a stop watch with meticulously manufactured cogs and wheels. The problems come with the set up data fed into it, unless the calibrations are realistic and accurate the clock is no good. For example if an extremely accurate clock is set to the wrong time to start with no matter how accurate it is, the time it shows will always be wrong. Or if a clock has its mechanism set to a 25 hour day calibration with accuracy down to one thousandth of a second, the time it shows will always be useless to its owner.

So how has the important Carbon dating clock been set for dating Neanderthal man? We shall examine the evidence which shows that this C14 dating process as it is presently calibrated is only good for dating things back 2-3,000 years.

Scientists claim they have accurately calculated the age of Neanderthal bones by using this Radio Carbon C14 method. C14 is a type of carbon formed in the upper atmosphere when cosmic radiation particles bombard it. It forms radioactive carbon dioxide and from the atmosphere in minute quantities through photosynthesis passes into plants and animals and so is absorbed by all living things along the food chain. Natural carbon C12 is also present in all living things but in much greater quantity. The ratio of C12 to its minute cousin C14 is constant in all living things (today one C14 atom to one billion C12 atoms).

Scientists have accepted the assumption that C14 has been forming in the atmosphere constantly and continually for millions of years and that its build up which they calculate would have taken 30,000 years has reached its constant saturation point (the radiocarbon reservoir) and that as much C14 is now decaying as is being formed. * C14 absorbed into any living thing during its life time starts to decay once it dies. * Half its amount of C14 decays away to nitrogen gas in about 5,700 years. * Half of the remaining half decays away in a further 5,700 years and so on until immeasurably small. Once a plant or animal dies it stops taking in C14 and it starts to decay at the above rate while C12 stays the same.

Calibrations given to the C14 clock:

5,700yrs after death 50% of C14 remains = 150 c14 counts per second.

after 11,400yrs 25% of C14 remains = 75 C14 counts per second.

after 17,100yrs 12.5% of C14 remains = 37.5 C14 counts per sec.

after 22.800yrs 6.25% of C14 remains = 18.7 C14 counts per sec.

after 28,500yrs 3.12% of C14 remains = 9.8 C14 counts per sec.

after 34,200yrs 1.56% of C14 remains = 4.9 C14 counts per sec.

This dating test relies entirely on knowing exactly what the original ratio mix of C14 to C12 is or was. The clock is only accurate if the ratio is the same today as when the organism lived and remained constant during its life and after its death right up to the time of dating. If there had been less C14 in the atmosphere during its lifetime than today it would have absorbed less and the ratio would read much lower with a lower count per second giving it a much older false reading.

Evolutionists believe that there has been no change in the ratio of C14 to C12 for millions of years. William Libby and his co-workers while developing the radiocarbon dating method in the 1940s believed that the amount of C14 in the world could not possibly have varied during the time that mankind had been on the Earth simply because the Earth is of an immense age, some 4,600 million years old so they believed. Because of this great age it was assumed that the 30,000 years transition period required for the atmosphere to have built up its ‘equilibrium value’ of C14 had already occurred and that the terrestrial radiocarbon reservoir had reached a steady state.

To test this assumption in Libby’s theory he made measurements of both the rate of formation and the rate of decay of radiocarbon. He found to his surprise a considerable discrepancy in his measurements; that apparently, radiocarbon was being created in the atmosphere somewhere around 25% faster than it was becoming extinct. Since this result to him was inexplicable he put it down to experimental error.

During the 1960s chemists repeated Libby’s experiments with refined techniques. They revealed that the discrepancy of Libby’s was not experimental error but did exist. Richard Longenfelter found 'There is stong indication, despite the large errors that the present natural production rate exceeds the natural decay rate by as much as 25%'.

Other researchers have since confirmed this finding including Hans Suess, of the University of Southern California in the Journal of Geophysical Research and V R Switzer writing in Science.

Professor Melvin Cook Professor of Metallurgy at Utah University reviewed the data of Suess and Lingenfelter and reached the conclusion that the present rate of formation of carbon 14 is 18.4 atoms per gram per minute and the rate of decay 13.3 atoms per gram per minute, a ratio indicating that formation exceeds decay by some 38 per cent.

Cook went one step further by taking the latest measured figures on radiocarbon formation and decay. He calculated them back to the point at which there would have been zero radiocarbon. In so doing he is in effect using the radiocarbon technique to date the Earths own atmosphere. His resulting calculations showed that the atmosphere is only around 10,000 years old!

Many researchers have shown that the C14 in the atmosphere is 'still' increasing at between 25 to 38% more than is at present decaying. This indicates that the atmosphere because it has not yet reached saturation with C14 (saturation point is reached when the amount decaying is the same as that being formed) is either still building up and is therefore much younger than originally considered (i.e. Cooks 10,000 years) or at some earlier stage the atmosphere was inhibited from the present rate of cosmic particle bombardment and so is again still building up C14 to reach its saturation equilibrium point estimated to take some 30,000 years.

When we calculate back the equation to zero point of C14 in the atmosphere using this increasing 25-38% present 'greater build up of decay ratio' in the atmosphere we find we get a starting date for the C14 build up process in the atmosphere by cosmic ray bombardment of only c10,000 years ago. This would have the effect of drastically reducing the amount of C14 that was present in the atmosphere and thereby reduce the amount absorbed by living organisms during their life times. When reading these reduced amounts it would create an artificially, much older dying date when using the present wrongly calibrated C14 clock setting.

Scientists calculate Neanderthal disappeared some 32,500 years ago according to present dating by C14, when applying the erroneous assumption that C14 saturation has already been achieved. To arrive at their date of 32,500 years ago the C14 reading in the Neanderthal bones would have been c 2% of original ratio, achieved by a C14 clock count reading of c 6 counts per second.

If we now rework this date using the short 10,000 year period of C14 build up and the 2% of original ratio ( 6, counts per second ) used in the evolutionists original calculation. Then a Neanderthal who had died say 4,400 years ago would have absorbed C14 from the atmosphere that had only been building up for 5,600 years. Then at death the Neanderthal would only have absorbed 18.67% of the scientists anticipated full 100% saturation amount of C14.

If absorption into the atmosphere started 10,000 years ago then 4,400 years ago absorption would have been in operation for 5,600 years, if saturation takes 30,000 years then 5,600 years would be 18.67% of 30,000 years. This would give a false calculation for the year of his death showing erroneously that he had been dead for 14,286 years at the time he died.

It is ridiculous to think that the atmosphere of the Earth is only 10,000 years old as the science evidence suggests. Agreed, but the truth can often more incredible than fiction. There is now new evidence that we shall be considering that although the atmosphere is old the absorption of C14 has possibly only been going on for the last 4,400 years; that the C14 penetration and absorption into our atmosphere was inhibited prior to this time and that when the protection ended the Earth's climate also changed radically.