Wild Wonderful Wednesday: Neanderthals in the neighborhood

Just down the way, in the next village over (Veldwezelt), is a Neanderthal site. Our village (Neerharen) was on the site of a Roman crossing of the river and has a castle with parts from the 13th century. But all of that pales compared to the date of the Neanderthal site. It was here, back a long time ago (which all depends on how one dates things) that Neanderthals roamed the river valley and lived in the area. 

The site in Veldwezelt is the first protected archeological site open to the public. The visitors jump back into time, walking along an 80 meter long path where examples of wolf rhino’s, bison and a mammoth can be found - animals that the Neanderthalers would have known. 

The crazy thing is how present day and past cross each other. Right next to the Neanderthal site is the international golf course, running through both the Netherlands and Belgium. As you walk the course, you pass by the Neanderthal site, separated by a fence. As far as anyone knows, Neanderthals did not play golf. That game was begun in Scotland by a completely different people.