By: Marshall Ramsey II, Worthy News U.S. Correspondent
CANTABRIA, Spain (
WorthyNews) -- The discovery of a woman buried in a cave in Spain may cause many to question what they believe about the origins of man.
Called the "Red Lady of El Miron," she was given this name due to the heavy amount of red ochre (an earth pigment containing iron (III) oxide/hydroxide)(2) found inside the cave and on her bones. She is said to have lived in the Magdalenian age (19,000 B.C. to 11,000 B.C.) and her grave is considered to be the first one found on the Iberian peninsula after archaeologists have searching for 150 years.(1)
She was seen as an important person by those who knew her, or knew of her. At some point after she was buried in the cave, her body was desecrated by a carnivore, a wolf perhaps, by chewing on a leg bone after the flesh had rotted off.(3)
At some point after the event, someone discovered what happened, possibly the woman's husband. Her body was then dug up, a fresh coat of red ochre was applied to her bones, (speculation exists that it may have covered her skin as well), and she was reburied, not to be discovered again until 2010.(3) Although the identity of the person, or persons, that reburied her are unknown at this time, it is certain that they held her in high regard, as evidenced by the decoration and reburial of her bones.
A number of items were found in El Miron cave with the Red Lady, such as "milk tooth of a child, thousands of stone artifacts and bones of ibex, red deer and fish, several antler points, bone needles and beads made of animal teeth and perforated marine shells."(1) These items tell us several things about her. For instance, the milk tooth of a child is what is called in the United States of America a baby tooth. Obviously not hers, it likely was put there by someone who knew her personally, such as one of her children, perhaps the tooth of a grandchild, one with whom she had regular contact. This indicates a close-knit family structure, with generations of the same family living close together.
The bones of the ibex, red deer, and fish indicate the type of food she ate. The antler points and beads of animal teeth and perforated marine shells indicate a decorative touch and a desire for beauty. Although animal teeth today would not be considered for use in jewelry, marine, called sea, shells are and can be frequently found in shops located in coastal communities, especially in resort areas. The bone needles indicate that Red Lady may have been a seamstress, working on her own clothes and/or that of others, like her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Of particular importance is the limestone block found in front of the body. According to Chief Archaeologist Lawrence Guy Straus (University of New Mexico in Albuquerque), the block, about 2 meters wide (about 7 feet), appears to have served as a tombstone. The reason for this is the etch lines found on it.
""The lines seem to be sort of random, but there is a motif that is a triangle – repeated lines that make a V-shape," says Straus. "What is being represented, at least by some of these lines, might be a female person. Conceivably, this block serves as some kind of marker." It's as if the Red Lady had a primitive tombstone stating she was female (Journal of Archaeological Science,
doi.org/2t9)."(3)
Another feature, one that is very explosive politically, in academia, especially religiously, is the use of red ochre color found throughout the cave, especially on her bones.
The red ochre color comes from the mineral hematite, specifically specular hematite. According to William Davies of the University of Southampton, U.K., a spiritual link can be made.
"It is certainly possible that [these people] held spiritual beliefs," Davies says.(3)
The use of red ochre as a symbol for blood serves as an identifying marker for the woman. While there are many different cultures that hold to a belief in right and wrong, especially as it relates to deity, two stand out as the most famous, that of Christians and Jews.
Although the two cultures disagree drastically concerning the doctrine of salvation, with Jews believing the shedding of blood atones for sin until Messiah comes to Earth to reign as king and Christians believing the animal sacrifices of old shewed forth what would happen to Christ in our place, that is, that he is the sacrifice for our sins, it alone acceptable to God for salvation; that although the two cultures differ greatly as to the blood required for salvation, they both agree as to the genealogy of the human race, that is, that all people, both male and female, are descended from one man and one woman, namely Adam and Eve (
ha-Adam and
Chaweh in Hebrew).
What is also common to both is the importance of blood sacrifice. The Jews in old time sacrificed animals to serve as an atonement for sins. Christians believe that the sacrifices of old were a testimony of Jesus Christ, a prophecy, foretelling Christ's suffering and death on the cross for our sake.
The Red Lady clearly believed in the need to be covered in blood, as did whoever reburied her. It is believed that they did it as a foreshadowing and testimony of the need to be covered, even in death. Drawing on this, we turn to Genesis chapter 3 to see if there is a match that fits the Red Lady of El Miron's spiritual beliefs:
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Genesis 3:7
This clearly demonstrates a desire and need to be covered. It also makes a very good spiritual connection between Eve and the Red Lady in that they needed a covering due to a spiritual consequence of her actions. This is the origin of all clothing, explaining why we are not walking around naked.
Another connection between Eve and the Red Lady lies in their knowledge that the covering they had was not enough to meet their spiritual needs. This is evidenced by Red Lady's clothes being painted, as was supposed, in red ochre upon her death, and her bones painted in it upon discovery of the desecration, or defilement, of her bones after death and testified of Eve in Genesis 3:21.
"Unto Adam also, and to his wife, did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
The above verse also makes a nice connection between Eve and the Red Lady in that many bones were found in the cave where Red Lady was found and Eve receiving a coat made from animal skins. Sewing needles made of bone also testify to the use of animal skins as a form of clothing.
One more connection exists between Eve and Red Lady. Eve is called the mother of all living.(4) This means that she gave birth. The Red Lady of El Miron was found in northern Spain(1). If one takes a look at the Earth's landmasses before they broke up, you will see that Earth's continents were one land-mass. Evidence of this is found in the mid-Atlantic Ridge, fossil records from South America and Africa, and Genesis 10:25.(5) You will also see that they looked like a human fetus. Compare the pictures below:
Although not an exact match, the similarity is undeniable.
Interestingly enough, Earth's land masses, then and now are surrounded by water. The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in it's mother's womb is also called water. Again, obviously not the same, but the connection is undeniable.
I think it is safe to say that we have found the burial place of Eve, the first human female, the mother of all living.
(1)
http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-unravel-secrets-18700-year-old-burial-020270
(2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochre
(3)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22530134.200-red-lady-cave-burial-reveals-stone-age-secrets.html#.VRL4v9ddWXH
(4) Genesis 3:20
(5) "And unto Eber were born two sons: The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days was the earth divided, and his brother's name was Joktan."
