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I hope someone can explain the fascination with this story to me. I read it when it was on the front page of HN on July 4th, but the story was less interestin

I hope someone can explain the fascination with this story to me. I read it when it was on the front page of HN on July 4th, but the story was less interesting than the headline. I’d like to hear why others are so fascinated with this story.

fit2rule 6y ago
It is fascinating on multiple levels - first of all, we do not have as complete a picture of the human story as we think we do, and any new piece of the puzzle sure makes the view a bit more detailed. Second, this is a cave that was being worked by human hands 11,000 years ago, almost completely preserved by the flooding waters. To get to it, required a great deal of modern technical skill - and courage - since its located in a deep, deep cave system. That alone is worth understanding - the means by which this exploration happens. And then, there is a chance to tie all the pieces together a bit. The ochre from this site can probably be identified in other artefacts (maybe), and show what sort of trade routes and civilisation was happening, at the time. Because we really do not know enough about our past, it has to be said.
tokai 6y ago
Could you explain why it isn't fascinating? I'm not even being snarky. A preserved 11k year old mine is obviously interesting if you care about early human history. Cave diving is interesting to a lot of people, due to the danger and the access to beautiful or interesting places it gives.
cmrdporcupine 6y ago
Because it fits in with is a growing body of evidence that human settlement of the Americas happened sooner and faster than (primarily North American) archaeologists used to say. And that it happened along coastal routes that have since been flooded due to rising sea levels in the post-glacial period. And as coastal archaeology has improved we're starting to see more and more of this. And the dates keep pushing back.
princekolt 6y ago
From the research institute that made the discovery: https://www.cindaq.org/copy-of-sagitario-la-mina https://www.cindaq.org/copy-of-sagitario-la-mina WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: * The discovery has the potential to help us understand the social and behavioral complexities of the region’s earliest inhabitants. * This new research shows ochre was of great, if not critical, importance to the culture and lives of Paleoamericans, given they were willing to take such enormous risks to get it. Red ochre is the most commonly identified inorganic paint, used throughout human history. It’s considered to be a key component of human evolutionary development and behavioral complexity. Ochre minerals were collected for use in rock paintings, mortuary practices, painted objects and personal adornment. They may even have had medicinal qualities. * The mining activity from more than 10,000 years ago also shows the early application of geological principles that were only documented 400 years ago. * Together with the exploration of Hoyo Negro, where the remains of Naia were found, the exploration of these caves is advancing research techniques, especially using 3D photogrammetry and virtual reality. * The abundance and diversity of animal and plant remains found in these submerged caves enables scientists to recreate what the environment was like for Ice Age Americans.

fit2rule 6y ago

It is fascinating on multiple levels - first of all, we do not have as complete a picture of the human story as we think we do, and any new piece of the puzzle sure makes the view a bit more detailed. Second, this is a cave that was being worked by human hands 11,000 years ago, almost completely preserved by the flooding waters. To get to it, required a great deal of modern technical skill - and courage - since its located in a deep, deep cave system. That alone is worth understanding - the means by which this exploration happens. And then, there is a chance to tie all the pieces together a bit. The ochre from this site can probably be identified in other artefacts (maybe), and show what sort of trade routes and civilisation was happening, at the time. Because we really do not know enough about our past, it has to be said.

tokai 6y ago

Could you explain why it isn't fascinating? I'm not even being snarky. A preserved 11k year old mine is obviously interesting if you care about early human history. Cave diving is interesting to a lot of people, due to the danger and the access to beautiful or interesting places it gives.

cmrdporcupine 6y ago

Because it fits in with is a growing body of evidence that human settlement of the Americas happened sooner and faster than (primarily North American) archaeologists used to say. And that it happened along coastal routes that have since been flooded due to rising sea levels in the post-glacial period. And as coastal archaeology has improved we're starting to see more and more of this. And the dates keep pushing back.

princekolt 6y ago

From the research institute that made the discovery: https://www.cindaq.org/copy-of-sagitario-la-mina https://www.cindaq.org/copy-of-sagitario-la-mina WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: * The discovery has the potential to help us understand the social and behavioral complexities of the region’s earliest inhabitants. * This new research shows ochre was of great, if not critical, importance to the culture and lives of Paleoamericans, given they were willing to take such enormous risks to get it. Red ochre is the most commonly identified inorganic paint, used throughout human history. It’s considered to be a key component of human evolutionary development and behavioral complexity. Ochre minerals were collected for use in rock paintings, mortuary practices, painted objects and personal adornment. They may even have had medicinal qualities. * The mining activity from more than 10,000 years ago also shows the early application of geological principles that were only documented 400 years ago. * Together with the exploration of Hoyo Negro, where the remains of Naia were found, the exploration of these caves is advancing research techniques, especially using 3D photogrammetry and virtual reality. * The abundance and diversity of animal and plant remains found in these submerged caves enables scientists to recreate what the environment was like for Ice Age Americans.