The Neanderthal may have been the first inhabitants at Princess Diana’s home. As per a report by The Telegraph, the archaeological dig conducted at Althorp lead to surprising discoveries. This is the same place that Diana Spencer grew up. Seashells that dated back to 40,000 years were found. According to Roger Michel, the excavation leader, the shells may not be remnants of the prehistoric meal. This is because Althorp was nowhere close to the sea and further away from it back then than today. He added that they were incised, so, they were probably used as decorations or as spurs for jewelry.
Neanderthals and the Modern Humans
According to the date, the shells existed when the Neanderthals lived in modern Britain, who arrived at this very location about 400,000 years back. On the other hand, modern humans came to Britain only 40,000 years back. This was the same time that the Neanderthal populations all over Europe were on the verge of extinction. So, the shells could have been used by either the modern humans or the Neanderthals.
Looking for a Lost Village
The archaeologist team did not expect to discover artifacts from the Paleolithic era on Princess Diana’s estate, at West Northamptonshire in England. Instead, the search was intended for a village named Ollethorp. This village was said to have been abandoned back in the 14th century during the time of the Black Death. The Spencer family has been owners of this estate since 1508. Diana’s brother Charles Spencer as well as the current estate owner had ordered this dig to look for this village.
The History
The village of Ollethorp was mentioned in the famed Domesday Book as per a survey done back in 1086 for the benefit of the then ruler William the Conqueror. He was only trying to keep an elaborate record of people he intended to collect taxes from. However, in 1508, a rich wool merchant by the name of John Spencer had bought the estate. By then, the village had disappeared. Michel and his archaeologist team excavated a trash pile that may have been brought to this place from the sea. Apart from shells, this pile also had antlers and flint in them.