I am super excited to host my first guest author of 2025! Jacqui Murray has a new book release and I can assure you that you are in for a treat! But I’ll let Jacqui tell you about it.
Thank you, Jan, for allowing me to take over your blog today to talk about a new series.
I am often asked “Did Neanderthals Have Art”
Neanderthals created a variety of artistic impressions, from handprints on rock walls to geometric shapes. Whether these are defined as art is in the eye of the beholder. The American Heritage Dictionary defines art as–
” … conscious use of the imagination in the production of objects intended to be contemplated or appreciated as beautiful, as in the arrangement of forms …”
Here are ideas to consider:
• Neanderthals etched and painted geometric symbols onto rock walls and boulders, repetitively the same 32, for what reason no one knows. Maybe they were art to the individuals. Most of these are not shapes naturally occurring in Nature which means the creator had to come up with it in their own mind, just as today’s artists do with their creations.
• Neanderthals used ground red ochre and other rocks to provide color to their bodies or cave drawings.
• Hand stencils on cave walls in Spain, enhanced with red ochre, must have been made by Neanderthals because no other human species were in Spain at that time. These are the oldest known cave paintings in the world.
• Some ancient stones–such as the Berekhat Ram– could not have been made and colored by natural forces, but appear to be carved by an “artist”; when interpreted, they appear to be the figure of a woman
If we consider art as an emotional expression of something created that is not entirely utilitarian, the cave etchings, the paint kits, the body adornments, the carved stones all seem to tell us that Neanderthals were our genus’ first artist.
Savage Land is the third prehistoric man trilogy in the series, Man. Vs. Nature.Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth’s history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Each tribe starring in the story considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face.
In Endangered Species, Book One of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe must join with Fierce’s Tall Ones—a Homo sapiens tribe–on a cross-continent journey that starts in the Siberian Mountains. The goal: a new homeland far from the devastation caused by the worst volcanic eruption ever experienced by Man. How they collaborate despite their instinctive distrust could end the journey before it starts or forge new relationships that will serve both well in the future.
In Badlands, Book Two, the tribes must split up, each independently crossing what Nature has turned into a wasteland. They struggle against starvation, thirst, and desperate enemies more feral than human. If they quit or worse, lose, they will never reunite with their groups or escape the most deadly natural disaster ever faced by our kind.
Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to potentially life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.
Endangered Species—Print, digital, audio available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DJ9Y7PQ8
Badlands—digital on presale now: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DFCV5YFT
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.
Social Media contacts:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/
Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher
X: http://twitter.com/worddreams
Website: https://jacquimurray.net
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 of Endangered Species
75,000 years ago,
What we call Germany today
Jun was lost. Again. He gripped his thick-shafted spear in one hand, throwing stones in the other, and brushed aside the prickle of fear that flooded his body.
It wasn’t being alone that worried him. This was his first time hunting with the clan. He’d wanted to do well.
Initially, Jun had kept pace with the hunters, his strides long and easy, eyes firmly locked on the back of the male in front of him, but—as too often happened—he became distracted by a bird’s call and wandered off to find it, maybe talk to it. Someone shouted his name, far away and so muted, he barely heard it. He didn’t respond, of course. Upright voices would frighten the bird if it hadn’t already fled. He hunkered into the underbrush, reduced his breathing, and squatted there long … longer … but the bird fell silent.
I’ll look for it next time I’m out here.
He stood. Feet spread, ears perked, he twisted around, and to his horror, didn’t recognize where he was. Nor did he hear the sounds of his fellow hunters moving along Deer’s trail.
I wandered farther than I intended, and hurried away, through the leaves and dirt, hoping to find Deer’s trace or his clan’s prints, but found neither so he shouted. The sound echoed harshly through the trees.
No response.
They can’t be far. By now, they must know I’m not with them.
He hugged his arms around his chest, suddenly cold, and tilted his head up. Sun had moved, a lot. Instead of worrying him, it comforted him.
I’ll stay here until they return.
He crouched, picked at the forest’s hearty overgrowth, ate a few worms, and waited. No one came. He called several times, but all he heard were insects, a snake slithering, and squirrels chattering.
I’ll go where Deer is.
He knew where the herd headed because he’d followed it several times to where it ate the fresh young grasses, safe, it thought, from prying eyes. He trotted down what he hoped would end up their trail, searching for trace, listening for the rustle of hide-covered bodies passing through dense brush carrying carcasses. Finally, later than expected, he found Deer’s path, but they didn’t stop in their usual place. They must have known they were being stalked—the hunters were noisy—and trotted into a scree pile as though knowing that would conceal prints, which it did. Jun could either keep wandering until he re-located the clan’s path or make his way back to the camp.
He checked Sun, but it was now hidden by clouds.
He crouched, comfortable in his waiting. No one would be surprised. He often returned late with tales of an excursion rather than armloads of meat to feed the clan. The group would have ejected him, forcing him to make his way alone, but his mother was the clan healer and wouldn’t allow it. She was training him to take over when her stiff joints and failing eyesight meant she could no longer fulfill her duties. He had no interest in illnesses, but understood he must fulfill some duty or lose the tribe’s protection. As a result, he assisted her if he couldn’t avoid it and learned enough about herbs and mulches and poultices to be tolerated.
None of which helped him now.
I can’t wait, and scrambled up a hillock, found a landmark he knew, and headed toward it along a debris-laden forest floor, head up, eyes shut to concentrate on a panoply of delightful odors. He heard the hiss but as background noise to his meandering daydreams. By the time it stiffened his hackles and his eyes popped open, it was too late.
Snake!
Jun stabbed with his spear, to frighten not kill, but missed. Snake didn’t. A blur of movement and pain seared through Jun’s body. He collapsed with a thud and Snake slithered away. Jun attempted to stand and crumpled.
I’ll crawl along the path. The hunters will see me on their way back. Sweat broke out across his forehead. As will predators.
He scuttled into the dirt-clotted root ball of a towering tree, sharing the cozy space with worms, slugs, and spiders.
I’ll call out if I hear someone.
He tamped down the pain and dug through his shoulder sack. No surprise, he forgot to restock his treatments. He tried to blink the dust from his eyes and then rubbed, using the cleanest part of a grubby finger. He mulled over what to do as his ankle swelled bigger than his calf and heat flushed through his body. Everything around him spun and his eyes drooped. The more he strained to think, the more his head throbbed. Hetucked his legs against his chest and imagined Snake’s poison infecting his insides.
How do I stop it before it stops me?
He solved it by passing out.
Hi Jan and Jacqui – I guess the signs probably linked people to places and to other groups, when necessary – or if necessary, and in due time they’d have moved onto landscape mapping … it’s interesting how things developed over the millennia – cheers to you both – Hilary
So true, Hilary. Thank you so much for your comment!
Oh wow, every time I come across Jacqui’s work I’m stunned by the amount of knowledge she displays! Thanks for sharing, Jan 🙂
I totally agree, Nicholas! She definitely has a vast amount of knowledge about early man. Thanks for visiting!
I am constantly amazed by the level of research Jacqui provides in her books. It’s like a bird’s eye few of millions of year ago with beautifully drawn and authentic characters. I’ve read book one on The Endangered Species Series. Can’t wait to read more. Congratulations, Jacqui!❤️
I am right there with you, Joy. I can’t begin to imagine the many rabbit holes Jacqui has gone down in her research process. Thank you so much for stopping by!
That’s fascinating about the Neanderthal geometric shapes, Jacqui, I could easily get sucked down a rabbit hole researching something like this. Congrats on the new release, and thanks for hosting, Jan!
So true, Teri. I can only begin to imagine the hours Jacqui spent in research. Thanks for stopping by!
Great to see Jacqui and her books featured here today Jan. I enjoyed learning about the symbols and their origins. I already have book 1 Endangered Species, loved the excerpt and looking forward to getting to read it. <3
Thank you, Debby. You are in for a treat. It’s a really good story and held me in its grip until the end. Happy Reading!
Thanks Jan. 🙂
I’m fascinated with the geometric shapes.
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I agree, Sandra. It’s amazing to see their art form. Thank you for stopping by!
It’s amazing to me how much researchers have been able to learn (or speculate) about the Neanderthals. It’s fascinating. Thanks for hosting our friend, Jan. Congrats, Jacqui on another great tour stop!
It is fascinating research for sure, Diana. And I love how Jacqui incorporates all of into her books. Thanks for stopping by!
I agree. I remember a lot of those bits of research coming up in the book. That is very cool.
I love it when I learn something during a blog stop! Congratulations to Jacqui on the new release! Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I agree, Beem. It’s always fun to learn something new and Jacqui is full of amazing information about early man. Thanks for stopping by!
I love that their art has endured and we continue spreading art. I’m loving the Neanderthals Jacquia Thanks for hosting, Jan xo
It is amazing, Denise, that we still revere the early artists. Experts have fun translating the art into stories. Thanks for stopping by!
Early humans are so interesting. I had wondered about what made the red in cave drawings, cool!
It’s amazing how many stones can be ground into colors. I had no idea until I started researching. Red seems to be the simplest because that’s the earliest color that appears.
It is so interesting for sure, Priscilla. I can only imagine the countless hours Jacqui has spent doing research. Thank you for stopping by to support her book launch!
It’s great to see Jacqui’s fantastic book on tour! It’s wonderful of you to help, Jan.
Thank you for the support, Tim! It’s good to have (e)friends around for book launches!
It’s truly my pleasure, Tim. I always love having guests. Thank you for stopping by to support Jacqui!
Hi Jan, you don’t seem to have a Bluesky button? Not sure if I’m missing it. A lovely post. I am always interested in any kind of art and have viewed a fair bit of Bushman (Khoi) art in South Africa.
I’m sure it’s much more advanced, but I think that level of human evolution is in the future for my series.
💚
Thank you for stopping by, Robbie. If you click on the plus sign, you’ll find Bluesky. I can see where the art aspect of primitive man would appeal to you. So fascinating.
Yes, absolutely.
Self-expression—it’s in our DNA! Thanks, Jan, for highlighting Jacqui’s latest novel in the excellent series.
With so much of our brain unused, I wonder which part lit up to allow for these shapes to equate with reality.
Some people see words, about a quarter of readers. Once visualized, they’re empowered to express themselves, and that comes out in several forms, art and storytelling, top my list. That’s why you see so many infographics on my site. Instead of just telling, your book tour is helping people see how the ancient people lived. Kudos, Jacqui!
I think you are right, Grant. It’s in our DNA – an innate need to leave a mark. Thank you for stopping by to support Jacqui!
Given how she’s contributed so much to writers around the globe, it’s my pleasure.
The research that goes into writing these books, is what makes them so compelling. I am not surprised that Neanderthals created art.
And you’re right not to be. Their brains were pretty fully developed. The only thing missing was a need for it. And then, I discovered how that worked out.
That is so true, Darlene. The research is fascinating and provides proof that mankind has been around a very long time. Thanks for stopping by!
Isn’t it interesting to learn that art has been around since the time of the Neanderthals? I appreciate Jacqui’s books because they are not only entertaining, but I learn more about early man through her novels.
As far as I can tell, it was used to communicate for Neanderthals, like words but not the same. I spent a lot of time digging into it, hoping to get it right.
I completely agree, Pete. I learn so much from Jacqui’s research and her stories! Thanks for stopping by to support her.