Hebrew University adds details to the story, describing the species and the cave.
The invertebrate animals found in the cave – four seawater and freshwater crustaceans and four terrestial species – are related to but different from other, similar life forms known to scientists. The species have been sent to biological experts in both Israel and abroad for further analysis and dating. It is estimated that these species are millions of years old. Also found in the cave were bacteria that serve as the basic food source in the ecosystem.
The Palestinian Authority has released a statement saying that the Israeli species displaced the native palestinian species, and are demanding reparations and the “right of return” for the palestinian species.
Oh, and the Israelis are digging in a Muslim burial ground, too.
The article writes
(emphasis mine) Why would someone want to date a fossil?
Comment by David Gerstman — 05/31/2006 @ 10:06 am
David, with a fossil, one never has to be afraid of change.
Comment by Rahel — 05/31/2006 @ 12:06 pm
When I saw that headline, “More on the new invertebrate species,” I assumed this was a post about whether or not John Kerry will make a second Presidential run. My bad.
Comment by Drew W — 05/31/2006 @ 12:39 pm
FWIW, Drew, Boker Tov Boulder had a similar idea …
Comment by David Gerstman — 05/31/2006 @ 1:47 pm
Like I said before, this is an Israeli species of invertebrate. I immediatly thought of Yossi Beilin and his “friends” of Shalom Achshav and the rest of the “disengagement crowd.
Sabba Hillel
Comment by Sabba Hillel — 06/01/2006 @ 5:29 am