Schmerling Caves

The Schmerling Caves (also known as Grottes d'Engis, meaning Engis Caves) are a group of caves on the right bank of the stream called the Awirs, near the village of Awirs in Flémalle, Belgium. The caves are notable for their past fossil finds, particularly of hominins. They were explored in 1829 by Philippe-Charles Schmerling, who discovered, in the lower cave, the remains of two individuals, one of which, now known as Engis 2, was a fossil of the first Neanderthal ever found; the other was a Neolithic homo sapiens. Also known as Trô Cwaheur or Trou Caheur, this lower cave has since collapsed. A third cave was destroyed because of work on the adjacent quarry, the Ancienne Carrière des Awirs.

The caves have been classified on the list of Cultural Heritage of Wallonia (fr) sites since 1978,[1] as well as Exceptional Cultural Heritage of Wallonia (fr) since 2013,[2] because of the Neanderthal fossil.

## Contents

* 1 Name, location, and finds
* 2 Description
* 2.1 Upper cave
* 2.2 Lower cave
* 2.3 Other finds
* 3 See also
* 4 References

## Name, location, and finds

View of the Awirs quarry, with overhanging Plateau des Fagnes in the valley of Awirs, on the right bank of the stream, coming from the confluence with the Meuse. The caves are to the right of the quarry.

Schmerling named the caves for Engis because he accessed them from the Plateau des Fagnes, which is in the Engis commune. He was able to reach them by lowering himself with a rope and sliding down the slope of the rock face. The caves themselves are actually within the boundaries of the commune of Awirs.[3] In 1951, a local group "corrected" the error by placing a plaque at the lower cave, identifying it as the Schmerling Cave.[4]

Schmerling thought he had found the remains of three people in the caves. In the vicinity, he also found tools fashioned by humans.[5] The tools and the carvings made with silex led him to argue that "antediluvian" man's hands must have been responsible even if human remains hadn't been found; Schmerling was thus one of the first to accept the existence of a prehistoric human. The child's skull was not identified as Neanderthal until 1936.[6]

A monument for Schmerling, consisting of a bust on a base made of stone, was erected at the foot of the hill in 1989; it was moved to the town square of Awirs in 2001.[4]

## Description

### Upper cave

Upper cave; above, plateau des Fagnes from which Schmerling descended

The measurements of the upper cave, which opens to the north, are 5m wide, 6m high, 17m deep,[clarification needed] with a small gallery on the right. At its entrance, in 2m of soil, Schmerling found:[7]

* a human incisor
* a human thoracic vertebrae
* a human phalanx bone
* remains of bears, hyena, horses, and ruminants
* silex tools.

### Lower cave

Upper caves, and ruins of the bottom cave.

The lower cave was known as Trô Cwaheur.[4] It also opened to the north but has since been destroyed[8] following collapses in 1993 and 2006.[9] At the time of Schmerling's exploration, it measured 4 m wide by 5 m high. A first chamber was 12 m deep[clarification needed] and the cave continued beyond as a gallery with soil and bones. To the left of the entrance was another gallery with stalactites measuring 150cm long. Another gallery ascended into a second, smaller, chamber which was strewn with bones:[7]

* bones of bear, hyena, rhinoceros; some entire, some broken and showing evidence of having been moved by water
* a large human incisor
* an upper jaw bone with worn teeth
* two vertebrae
* a collarbone
* fragments of a radial bone and ulna
* a metacarpal bone and metatarsal bones
* next to animal remains, the skull of Neolithic homo sapiens, an older individual with the facial bones missing; designated Engis 1
* a second skull which fell to pieces when touched. Examination of the upper jaw revealed that adult molars had not yet descended: the individual was 5 or 6 years old at the time of death, and was designated Engis 2, following Schmerling. Milk teeth, collarbone, fragments of a radial bone, ulna, and vertebrae were found as well, leading the discoverer to think he had found the remains of three different individuals. The skull is registered as a national treasure on the List of Classified Properties of the French Community (fr).

### Other finds

Engis 1, one of two skulls found by Schmerling, is of a Neolithic homo sapiens; collection of the Curtius Museum.

There was a third cave, to the east, which was destroyed in the exploitation of the quarry.[10] Later researchers who explored the hill found two more caves, one of them a grave site with two Neolithic skeletons.[8]

Grains of wheat were found in the Engis cave.[11]

## See also

* Grotte de Rosée, a nearby cave

## References

1. ↑ Direction générale opérationnelle de l'Aménagement du territoire, du Logement, du Patrimoine et de l'Énergie (DGO4) (2018). "Grottes Schmerling". Biens classés et Zones de protection. Service Public Wallonie (SPW). http://lampspw.wallonie.be/dgo4/site_thema/index.php/dossier/view/BC_PAT/62120-CLT-0006-01.
2. ↑ DGO4 (2018). "Les grottes Schmerling". Biens exceptionnels. SPW. http://lampspw.wallonie.be/dgo4/site_thema/index.php/dossier/view/PAT_EXC/62120-PEX-0001-02.
3. ↑ Biens classés et Zones de protection, Région wallonne, La biodiversité en Wallonie: Ancienne Carrière des Awirs
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Les Chroniques". Commission historique de la commune de Flémalle. April 2010. http://www.flemalle.be/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Philippe-Charles Schmerling, précurseur.pdf. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
5. ↑ Winkler, T. C. (1877). "Vierde hoofdstuk" (in nl). De mensch voor de geschiedenis. Leiden: P. van Santen. pp. 81-122. https://books.google.com/books?id=rTlnAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA88.
6. ↑ Cliquet, Robert L.; Thienpont, Kristiaan (2002) (in nl). Biologische variabiliteit bij de mens. Deel I. Determinanten en evolutie. Ghent: Academia Press. pp. 393-94. https://books.google.com/books?id=py3lQBcLdugC&pg=PA394.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Philippe Charles Schmerling, Recherches sur les ossements fossiles découverts dans les cavernes de la province de Liège, Vol. I, Liège: P.-J. Collardin, 1833, pp. 30–31, 61, 62.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Engis et Néandertal Engis commune.
9. ↑ Les Awirs, la face nord
10. ↑ "...Les premières traces humaines...: La grotte de Schmerling" (in fr). http://membres.multimania.fr/engis/nature/prehistoire.htm. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
11. ↑ Ernest Doudou, "Notes sur les grains de végétaux trouvés dans la brèche préhistorique de la Grotte d'Engis (Belgique)", Revue de l'École d'Anthropologie de Paris, January 1904, cited in: H. Desmaisons, "Blés et Céréales Préhistoriques", Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, 32.6 1935, pp. 336–43.

* v
* t
* e

Prehistoric cave sites, rock shelters and cave paintings

* Paleoanthropological sites
* Cave paintings
* Caves containing pictograms

Europe

| Armenia|

* Areni-1

|

Austria|

* Drachenhöhle
* Gudenus
* Lurgrotte
* Salzofen
* Tischofer

Belgium|

* Belle-Roche
* Claminforge
* Engis
* Goyet
* Naulette
* Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes
* Ramioul
* Scladina
* Spy
* Trou de l’Abîme

Bosnia|

* Badanj
* Ledenjača

Bulgaria|

* Bacho Kiro
* Devetashka
* Magura
* Kozarnika

Croatia|

* Grapčeva
* Krapina
* Vela Spila
* Vindija

Cyprus|

* Aetokremnos

Czech Republic|

* Amatérská
* Býčí skála
* Koněprusy
* Kůlna
* Mladeč
* Šipka

Finland|

* Wolf

France|

Vézère Valley World Heritage Site
Bara Bahau
Bernifal
Cap Blanc
Castel Merle

Abri Castanet
Reverdit
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Abri Audi
Abri Chadourne
Les Combarelles
Cro-Magnon
Font-de-Gaume
Laugerie-Basse
Laugerie-Haute
La Micoque
La Mouthe
Pataud
Abri du Poisson
Lascaux
La Madeleine
Rouffignac

Other World Heritage Sites
Chauvet

Other caves with decoration
Arcy-sur-Cure
Gargas
Cosquer
Cussac
Fontéchevade
La Chaire a Calvin
La Marche
Lombrives
Marsoulas
Le Mas-d'Azil
Mayrières supérieure
Niaux
Pair-non-Pair
Pech Merle
Roc-aux-Sorciers
Renne
Trois Frères
Villars

Other caves
Arago
Aurignac
Azé
Balauzière
Bonne-Femme
Bouillon
Bruniquel
Calès
Cauna
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Combe Grenal
La Ferrassie
Fées
Fontbrégoua
Lazaret
Le Moustier
Noisetier
La Quina
Raymonden
Le Regourdou
Rochereil
Vallonnet

Germany|

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura World Heritage Site
Bockstein
Geissenklösterle
Hohle Fels
Hohlenstein-Stadel
Sirgenstein
Vogelherd

Other caves
Baumann's
Brillenhöhle
Kleine Feldhofer
Lichtenstein
Ofnet

Gibraltar|

* Devil's Tower
* Gorham's
* Vanguard

Greece|

* Alepotrypa
* Apidima
* Eileithyia
* Franchthi
* Kleidi
* Megalakkos
* Petralona
* Stravomyti
* Theopetra

Hungary|

* Baradla
* Szelim

Italy|

* Addaura
* Arene Candide
* Balzi Rossi
* Cavallo
* Corbeddu
* Deer
* Felci
* Paglicci
* Romito
* Villabruna

Jersey|

* St Brelade

Luxembourg|

* Loschbur

Malta|

* Għar Dalam

North Macedonia|

* Cocev Kamen

Norway|

* Svarthola

Poland|

* Obłazowa
* Paradise

Portugal|

* Aroeira
* Escoural
* Furninha
* Lagar Velho
* Pala Pinta
* Pedra Furada
* Pego do Diabo
* Salemas

Romania|

* Coliboaia
* Cuciulat
* Muierilor
* Oase

Russia|

* Akhshtyrskaya
* Chertovy Vorota
* Denisova
* Ignatievka
* Kapova
* Mezmaiskaya
* Okladnikov

Serbia|

* Hadži-Prodan's
* Pešturina
* Risovača
* Mala Balanica

Slovakia|

* Čertova pec
* Domica
* Jasovská

Slovenia|

* Betal
* Divje Babe
* Pekel
* Potok

Spain|

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain World Heritage Site
Altamira
Caves in Cantabria

Chufín
Covalanas
La Garma
Hornos de la Peña
Monte Castillo

El Castillo
Las Chimeneas
Las Monedas
La Pasiega
El Pendo
Tito Bustillo
Altxerri
Santimamiñe
Los Aviones

Rock art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin World Heritage Site)
Araña
Roca dels Moros

Other World Heritage Sites
Atapuerca
Siega Verde

Other caves with decoration
Bacinete
Barranc del Migdia
Las Caldas
Los Casares
Maltravieso
los Murciélagos
Nerja
Niño
Ojo Guareña
Peñas de Cabrera
la Pileta
Praileaitz
Sidrón

Other caves
Ángel
Antón
Armintxe
Axlor
Bedmar
dels Bous
Don Gaspar
Guanches
El Mirón
Santa Catalina
del Valle

Switzerland|

* Bichon
* Wildkirchli

United Kingdom|

* Aveline's Hole
* Bontnewydd
* Cathole
* Coygan
* Creswell Crags
* Gough's
* Heathery Burn
* High Pasture
* Kendrick's
* Kents
* Long Hole
* Marble Arch
* Oldbury
* Portbraddon
* Red Lady of Paviland
* Sand
* Thor's
* Windmill Hill

Asia

| Afghanistan|

* Darra-e Kur

|

Armenia|

* Areni-1

Azerbaijan|

* Allar
* Azokh
* Buzeyir
* Damjili
* Tağlar
* Zar

Cambodia|

* Laang Spean

China|

* Baishiya
* Fuyan
* Guanyindong
* Luobi
* Tianyuan
* Xianren
* Yuchanyan
* Zhoukoudian
* Zengpiyan
* Zhiren

East Timor|

* Jerimalai
* Laili
* Lene Hara

Georgia|

* Satsurblia

India|

* Ambadevi
* Belum
* Bhimbetka
* Edakkal
* Gudiyam
* Pahargarh
* Tikla

Indonesia|

* Harimaru
* Jeriji Saléh
* Liang Bua
* Pettakere

Iran|

* Bisitun
* Darband
* Do-Ashkaft
* Eshkaft-e Siahoo
* Huto and Kamarband
* Qaleh Bozi
* Warwasi
* Wezmeh
* Yafteh

Iraq|

* Hazar Merd
* Shanidar

Israel|

* Amud
* HaYonim
* Kebara
* Manot
* Misliya
* Nahal Me'arot
* Nahal Hemar
* Nahal Oren
* Qafzeh
* Qesem
* Raqefet
* Skhul
* Tabun
* Zuttiyeh

Japan|

* Kosegasawa
* Minatogawa
* Muroya
* Ōzakai
* Pinza-Abu
* Shiraho Saonetabaru
* Tobayama
* Yamashita

Jordan|

* Iraq ed-Dubb

Laos|

* Tham An Mah
* Tam Pa Ling

Lebanon|

* Antelias
* Jeita
* Kaukaba
* Ksar Akil
* Ras Baalbek I
* Ras El Kelb
* Nachcharini

Malaysia|

* Niah

Mongolia|

* Khoit Tsenkher

Myanmar|

* Padah-Lin

Pakistan|

* Sanghao

Palestine|

* Shuqba

Philippines|

* Callao
* Kalanay
* Minori
* Lapuz Lapuz
* Tabon

Sri Lanka|

* Batadombalena
* Belilena
* Fa Hien
* Hunugalagala

Thailand|

* Spirit
* Tham Lod

Turkmenistan|

Dzhebel

Turkey|

* Belbaşı
* Karain

Uzbekistan|

* Obi-Rakhmat
* Teshik-Tash

Vietnam|

* Con Moong
* Ngườm

Africa

| Algeria|

* Gueldaman

|

Botswana|

* Tsodilo
* Manyana Rock Paintings

Cameroon|

* Shum Laka

DR Congo|

* Matupi

Egypt|

* Beasts
* Swimmers

Kenya|

* Enkapune Ya Muto
* Njoro River

Lesotho|

* Liphofung

Libya|

* Haua Fteah
* Uan Muhuggiag

Morocco|

* Hercules
* Ifri n'Amr or Moussa
* Ifri Oudadane
* Jebel Irhoud
* Kelif el Boroud
* Taforalt

Mozambique|

* Ngalue

Namibia|

* Apollo 11
* The White Lady

Nigeria|

* Rop

Somalia|

* Dhambalin
* Laas Geel

South Africa|

Cradle of Humankind, World Heritage Site
Cooper's
Drimolen
Gladysvale
Gondolin
Haasgat
Kromdraai
Makapansgat
Malapa
Motsetsi
Plovers Lake
Rising Star
Sterkfontein
Swartkrans

Other caves
Blombos
Border
Boomplaas
Byneskranskop
Cango
Diepkloof
Elands Bay
Howieson's Poort
Klasies River
Melkhoutboom
Nelson Bay
Pinnacle Point
Sibudu
Wonderwerk

Tanzania|

* Kondoa
* Bahi
* Mumba

Uganda|

* Nyero

Zambia|

* Kalemba
* Mumbwa

Zimbabwe|

* Bambata

North and South America

| Argentina|

* Las Manos

|

Aruba|

* Quadiriki

Belize|

* Actun Tunichil Muknal
* Barton Creek
* Midnight Terror

Brazil|

* Gentio
* Maquiné
* Pedra Pintada
* Peruaçu
* Rei do Mato
* Santo
* Toca da Tira Peia

Canada|

* Bluefish
* Charlie Lake

Chile|

* Fell
* Milodón

Colombia|

* El Abra
* Chiribiquete
* Piedras del Tunjo
* Sáchica
* Tequendama
* Tibitó

Cuba|

* Ambrosio
* Calero
* Centella
* Cura
* Patana
* Pluma
* Punta del Este

Curaçao|

* Hato

Dominican Republic|

* Pomier

Jamaica|

* Long Mile

Mexico|

* Chan Hol
* Coxcatlan
* Dzibilchaltún
* Las Flechas
* Frightful
* Guilá Naquitz
* Ox Bel Ha
* Oxtotitlán
* Sac Actun

Peru|

* Chivateros
* Guitarrero
* Pikimachay
* Qillqatani
* Toquepala
* T'uqu T'uquyuq

Suriname|

* Werehpai

United States|

* Arnold Research
* Baker
* Bonfire
* Bull Thistle
* Burnet
* Cherry Creek
* Colorado Millennial
* Danger
* Daugherty's
* Dry Creek
* Durango
* Dust
* Dutchess Quarry
* Fort Rock
* Franktown
* Gatecliff
* Graham
* Hidden
* Hidden Valley
* Hogup
* Humboldt
* La Grange
* Last Supper
* Levi
* LoDaisKa
* Lovelock
* Mammoth
* Mantle's
* Marmes
* Martz
* Meadowcroft
* Modoc
* Mummy
* On Your Knees
* Paisley
* Pendejo
* Pictograph
* Rockhouse Cliffs
* Russell
* Sandia
* Shoup
* Sisyphus
* Stanfield-Worley
* Tainter
* Tomaquag
* Trail Creek
* Trinchera
* Ventana
* Wilson Butte

Oceania

| Australia|

* Abrakurrie
* Acheron
* Ballawinne
* Beeton Shelter
* Beginner's Luck
* Blanche
* Bradshaws
* Bone
* Burrup
* Cave Bay
* Cliefden
* Cloggs
* Devil's Lair
* Eagles Reach
* Fossil
* Gabarnmung
* Jenolan
* Koongine
* Koonalda
* Kutikina
* Mackintosh 90/1
* Madjedbebe
* Mammoth
* Mannalargenna
* Mudgegonga
* Murrawijinie
* Murujuga
* Naracoorte
* New Guinea II
* Nunamira
* ORS 7
* Tarragal
* Ubirr
* Wargata Mina
* Warratyi
* Warreen
* Wellington

|

Guam|

* Gadao's
* Mahlac
* Talagi

Hawaii|

* Makauwahi

New Caledonia|

* Pindai

New Zealand|

* Moncks
* Ruakuri

Northern Mariana Islands|

* Chugai'

Papua New Guinea|

* Kilu

Samoa|

* Falemauga

Tuvalu|

* Nanumanga

* Cave
* List of caves
* Cave painting
* Speleology

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmerling Caves. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Social:Schmerling_Caves&oldid=676351"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template