Latest news with #Spanish-French
National Geographic
22-07-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
4,000-year-old victim was shot in the back—and survived with an arrow to the rib
A flint arrowhead lodged in a rib from a person who lived in the Spanish Pyrenees more than 4,000 years ago was most likely shot during a skirmish with a rival clan, researchers say. "It is direct evidence of a violent conflict episode," says Carlos Tornero, who led the team that unearthed the rib in a mountain cave 6,000 feet above sea level near the Spanish-French border. His team announced the finding July 8. Previous excavations at the cave—called Roc de les Orenetes, or "Rock of the Swallows" in Catalan—unearthed thousands of human bones. Some had fractures and cut marks apparently caused by stone-tipped spears, arrows, and copper or bronze axes and daggers. The researchers published their analysis of the bones last year and concluded the injuries came from conflicts with other groups. This latest finding reinforces that idea. The interior of the cave as seen from the entrance. Photograph by Leo Pérez, IPHES-CERCA "This extraordinary discovery is direct proof, and confirms our initial hypothesis," says Tornero, an archaeologist at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and a researcher at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA). Little is known about who shot the arrow, except that they were probably from an enemy group who fought violently against the people later buried in the cave—in a dispute over territory, or perhaps access to resources. The researchers dated the violent episodes to between 2550 and 2150 B.C. Tornero says the victims in the cave were likely from a single clan of Early Bronze Age farming people; but their attackers may have been nomadic hunters. The archer shot this individual from behind so the arrow lodged in their back, within the rib cage but below the shoulder blade. "Undoubtedly, the person who was struck had little ability to react in time to avoid it," says Tornero. Excavation work at the Roc de les Orenetes site, where human remains dating to 2400 BC can be seen in the foreground. Photograph by Leo Pérez, IPHES-CERCA The moment of the discovery of a flint arrowhead with a broken tip, dated to 2400 BC. Photograph by Iván Ramírez, IPHES-CERCA Each arrowhead found in the cave was likely once embedded in the flesh of the dead people interred there, he says. But this individual did not die from their arrow wound—instead, the rib bone shows signs of healing that indicate the victim lived for a long time after their close encounter with death, Tornero says. Roc de les Orenetes was discovered in 1969, and the remains of 60 bodies—many bearing scars from battle—have since been unearthed there, although only one-third of the site has been excavated, according to Tornero. The newly found arrowhead is another indicator of the violent conflicts in prehistory, as well as final proof for Tornero that the ancient people buried at Roc de les Orenetes were sometimes the victims of violence—and may have been the perpetrators of deadly violence in return.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
I love Europe, but a few hours in this country is more than enough
Hairpin bends lead me from France to Andorra. Up and up into the Pyrenees, mountain streams gushing by the roadside, hawks drifting over the valley. Uninterested guards wave my car over the border. I'm already disappointed. When I visit a fabulous medieval mini-state, I expect soldiers with hauberks stamping my passport with a coat-of-arms depicting unicorns or salamanders. In Andorra, I cross the border without fanfare or welcome, and am fed through a tunnel whose €7.90 ($14) toll makes Sydney Harbour Tunnel seem like a bargain. Then I'm descending a valley through modern ski villages whose bulky hotel-apartments lie mostly empty. I doubt anyone ever won a prize for architecture in Andorra. Perhaps caps of snow would make these villages seem more attractive. This landlocked country in the Pyrenees is one of the world's smallest countries: 468 square kilometres, population 80,000. It has remained independent since 1278. Well, sort of. The feudal principality has two co-regents, one the president of France, the other the bishop of Urgell in Spain, neither elected by Andorrans. I've always wanted to see Andorra because it sounds like it should be the perfect distillation of my favourite bits of Europe: mountain scenery, an odd and ancient history, quirky culture and politics, Spanish-French influences. What sounds good on paper doesn't work well in reality. The Spanish influence is far greater than the French, which means dining times are late, pastries unexciting, and baskets of crusty bread with meals have vanished. Have Andorrans adopted the good things from Spain? Hard to say because I'm not sure who actually is Andorran. Only half the residents are native, and millions of French and Spanish shoppers pour into this tiny country to plunder its tax-free shops. As I slide into Andorra la Vella, my heart sinks further. Europe's highest capital (1023 metres) sits in a tight valley that blocks views to nice mountains and forces buildings to sit shoulder by shoulder and sometimes seemingly on top of one another.
The Age
13-07-2025
- The Age
I love Europe, but a few hours in this country is more than enough
Hairpin bends lead me from France to Andorra. Up and up into the Pyrenees, mountain streams gushing by the roadside, hawks drifting over the valley. Uninterested guards wave my car over the border. I'm already disappointed. When I visit a fabulous medieval mini-state, I expect soldiers with hauberks stamping my passport with a coat-of-arms depicting unicorns or salamanders. In Andorra, I cross the border without fanfare or welcome, and am fed through a tunnel whose €7.90 ($14) toll makes Sydney Harbour Tunnel seem like a bargain. Then I'm descending a valley through modern ski villages whose bulky hotel-apartments lie mostly empty. I doubt anyone ever won a prize for architecture in Andorra. Perhaps caps of snow would make these villages seem more attractive. This landlocked country in the Pyrenees is one of the world's smallest countries: 468 square kilometres, population 80,000. It has remained independent since 1278. Well, sort of. The feudal principality has two co-regents, one the president of France, the other the bishop of Urgell in Spain, neither elected by Andorrans. I've always wanted to see Andorra because it sounds like it should be the perfect distillation of my favourite bits of Europe: mountain scenery, an odd and ancient history, quirky culture and politics, Spanish-French influences. What sounds good on paper doesn't work well in reality. The Spanish influence is far greater than the French, which means dining times are late, pastries unexciting, and baskets of crusty bread with meals have vanished. Have Andorrans adopted the good things from Spain? Hard to say because I'm not sure who actually is Andorran. Only half the residents are native, and millions of French and Spanish shoppers pour into this tiny country to plunder its tax-free shops. As I slide into Andorra la Vella, my heart sinks further. Europe's highest capital (1023 metres) sits in a tight valley that blocks views to nice mountains and forces buildings to sit shoulder by shoulder and sometimes seemingly on top of one another.
South China Morning Post
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Picasso exhibition in Hong Kong is politely critical of artist's misogyny. Is it enough?
Pablo Picasso is one of the subjects of bestselling author Claire Dederer's 2023 book Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma. She asks a question many people have struggled with: should we allow ourselves to gaze in wonder at the evidence of his artistic genius, or does it make us complicit in whitewashing his misogyny and abusive relationships with women? Advertisement Funnily enough, 'abusive sexual predator' is not among the four 'archetypes' the Spanish-French artist is said to represent according to the titles of the sections in a new exhibition at M+, Hong Kong's museum of visual culture: 'The Genius', 'The Outsider', 'The Magician' and 'The Apprentice'. The exhibition, 'Picasso for Asia: A Conversation' , shows a deference towards him that reinforces the idea that he was the quintessential 20th century artist. This tone detracts from the museum's intent to create a critical dialogue between Asian contemporary art and Picasso, a culturally remote and at times problematic figure from Western art history. Around 60 exquisite works by Picasso have been loaned to M+ by the Musée national Picasso-Paris (MnPP). That in itself is probably sufficient to attract a sizeable audience, although on their own they would not have made this a particularly interesting exhibition. Figures by the Sea (1931) by Pablo Picasso, on display in Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy of Musée national Picasso-Paris Many of the same pieces were included in a Picasso exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in 2012, and there have been larger overviews of the artist's work staged in East Asia more recently, such as the 2019 and 2021 MnPP touring exhibitions at UCCA in Beijing, China, and the Hangaram Art Museum, in Seoul, South Korea. In addition, more than 50 Picasso exhibitions were held in 2023, the 50th anniversary of his death.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid stumble into crucial phase with a pressing issue for Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid have faced persistent defensive injury challenges throughout the season. Unfortunately for Carlo Ancelotti, the situation has worsened at a critical point in the calendar. Now, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, the Italian manager now faces the difficult task of reorganising his defence once again, especially in the face of two most important matches. The absence of key players such as David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and the long-term injury of Eder Militao has left Ancelotti with limited options. He must now rely on Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jacobo Ramon to form a makeshift defensive line. This experimental setup will need to withstand the attacking firepower of Atletico Madrid in the upcoming derby and Manchester City in the Champions League play-off first leg on 11 February. This predicament exposes two pressing issues for Real Madrid. Firstly, it highlights the club's lack of preparedness for injury-related emergencies. Secondly, it underscores the risk of entrusting two of the season's most crucial matches to youth players and a midfielder playing out of position. All signs indicate that Ancelotti will likely choose Asencio and Tchouameni as his primary defenders. Ramon's recent performance against Leganes did not provide enough confidence, making the Spanish-French duo the more reliable option. They have at least played together this season, offering a semblance of familiarity and consistency. February promises to be a defining month for Real Madrid. The team could either come out of it relatively unscathed or face significant setbacks. Much will depend on how well the makeshift defensive unit performs against two formidable opponents. Ancelotti's ability to adapt and the resilience of his players will be tested to the fullest. Fans will be hoping that despite these challenges, Real Madrid can rise above adversity and maintain their competitive edge on all fronts.
