hebel. today · 7 November 202666 / 74
Beyond Familiar · Beyond Familiar
Neanderthal stone circles and the geometry of the afterlife
Deep inside the subterranean darkness of Bruniquel Cave, France, early Neanderthals navigated 336 meters past the sunlight zone to snap off more than 400 stalagmite segments. These individuals arranged the stone fragments into two…
From 2 newsletters · 1 min read · one thing to try
Deep inside the subterranean darkness of Bruniquel Cave, France, early Neanderthals navigated 336 meters past the sunlight zone to snap off more than 400 stalagmite segments (Ilari Mäkelä from On Humans). These individuals arranged the stone fragments into two massive circular structures involving more than two tonnes of material, with traces of fire scattered among the formations.
Researchers studying near-death experiences have documented that 50 participants, when asked to draw maps of remembered spaces, produced consistent geometric patterns linked to specific colors (Metaphysical). The most frequently reported shapes included conical tunnels and broad, curved archways, with conical spaces appearing primarily in grayscale and curved spaces perceived in color.
Lerner et al. suggest that these otherworldly experiences may not be as unpredictable as they seem, as the strange geometry could offer clues to what happens in the brain at the boundary of life and death. "The geometry of those spaces appeared to be linked to the colors people recalled seeing," the study notes.
Try today · 15 min
Map the geometry of a vivid dream or a memory of an unusual space you have visited.
Use a blank sheet of paper to sketch the boundaries and primary shapes of the environment, noting the colors associated with each section.