Exploration of Prehistoric African Caverns Is Planned for Spring by Peabody Scientists

Investigation the possibility that prehistoric man crossed the Staits of Gibralter on dry land, a University-led expedition to continne war-interrupted research at the Caves of Hercules near Tangiers will leave Cambridge next April.

Headed by Hugh O'Hencken, curator of European Archacology at the Peabody Muscum, the expedition will attempt to corrolate the eave doposits of Tangiers with those of France which have provided the background for the study of evolution.

Land Bridge Probable

Since there is no positive evidence that boats were known to Stone Age inhabitants of western Europe and Africa, such a relationship would support the theory that the lberian peninsula and Africa were once connected by a laud bridge.

In 1939, carleton S. Coon '25, associate professor of Anthropology, discovered skull fragments of Neanderthal man in the Tangierian caves. In addition, pottery remains of a Stone Age settlement dating back to 4000 B.C. have shown the spread of an ancient Egyptian culture to Africa's west coast.

These findings, among others, indicate that taugiers was as much a gathering point for Stone Age migrations as it is an international city today.

The expedition will be under the auspices of the American School for Prehistoric Research, of which Hencken is director. Founded in 1921 by George G. MacCurdy of yale, the School also maintains a summer session in France sud publishes the results of archacologic and authropologle research.

Hencken will leave Cambridge shortly for England, where he will be guest leeturer at the University of London before proceeding to Tangiers.