Newman's Dale

Newman's Dale (Commonthroat BdqqgKqsCFg lit. valley of new yinrih), also called the Vulpithecine Eden, is the rain forest river valley where the Yinrih evolved. It is the holiest site in the Bright Way. At the time of First Contact it is a de facto exclave of the planet Hearthside.

Name

Its English name is the source of bemusement to some, on four legs or two. The use of "man" in particular is often regarded as jarring. The most likely reason for this misnaming lies in the early days after First Contact, when humanity (and vulpithecinity) was adjusting to the idea that there are now two sapient species. Expanding the meaning of "man" to encompass not just humans, but any sapient species, may have been entertained long enough for this name to be coined. Many have noted the phrase is a calque of German Neandertal. The German word refers to a valley of the river Düssel named for a Calvinist hymn writer named Joachim Neander. Neander in tern being a Hellenization of the German surname Neumann (new man), thus rendering the toponym New man's valley in English.

Neander frequented the valley, seeking inspiration for his hymns through the majesty of Creation. The (sub)species of archaic human that also bears the name was discovered while digging a quarry in the valley in the mid 19th century. The valley's association with both human evolution and spiritual retreat may have been seen as apropos. Prior to being called Neandertal, the valley was known as Hundsklipp, or Cliff of dogs, and the yinrih's resemblance to Earth canines is a frequent source of comment among both species.