Cave explorers in France have discovered stone circles built of snapped-off stalagmites which predate the arrival of homo sapiens in Europe, according to an article (with photos) in New Scientist. The circles have been dated to 175,000 years ago. Hat tip to Drudge Report for the link.
About a half meter tall, the circles are sufficiently far underground as to be in total darkness, meaning the builders were using fire for light. Those builders were Neanderthals, previously thought not developed enough to build what must have been a ceremonial site. As the article states, Neanderthals are being reimagined as not so different mentally from the later homo saps.
