Neanderthals, renowned for their resourcefulness and adaptability, have once again surprised researchers with their ingenuity. Recent findings unveiled by a collaborative team of scientists from New York University, the University of Tübingen, and the National Museums in Berlin shed new light on the cognitive prowess and cultural sophistication of our ancient predecessors.
The discovery, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, unveils the earliest evidence of a complex adhesive used by Neanderthals in Europe. These findings challenge previous assumptions and suggest that Neanderthals possessed a higher level of cognition and cultural development than previously believed.
Lead researcher Patrick Schmidt from the University of Tübingen and Ewa Dutkiewicz from the Museum of Prehistory and Early History at the National Museums in Berlin spearheaded the investigation, which re-examined artifacts from Le Moustier, an archaeological site in France dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period.
The stone tools, dating between 120,000 and 40,000 years ago, had lain untouched since the 1960s within the collections of Berlin’s Museum of Prehistory and Early History. Thanks to meticulous preservation, traces of a complex adhesive mixture consisting of ocher and bitumen were uncovered on several stone tools, including scrapers, flakes, and blades.
The revelation was remarkable—ocher, a natural earth pigment, comprised over 50% of the mixture, a surprising finding considering its significant proportion. Bitumen, a component of asphalt, played a crucial role, serving as the adhesive substance that bound the tools together. Schmidt and his team conducted rigorous tests, including tensile tests, to assess the adhesive’s strength and properties.
Microscopic examination of the tools revealed distinctive wear patterns, indicating their use as handheld implements. The adhesive mixture, just sticky enough to secure the tools in place, offered a firm grip without adhering to the hands—an ingenious solution that highlighted the Neanderthals’ mastery of materials and technology.
Interestingly, the use of multi-component adhesives was previously associated with early modern humans in Africa but not with Neanderthals in Europe. The discovery underscores the parallel development of cognitive processes among different human species, challenging conventional notions of cultural evolution.
The procurement of ocher and bitumen from distant locations necessitated meticulous planning and effort—a testament to the strategic thinking and resourcefulness of Neanderthals. The findings suggest that Neanderthals possessed similar thought patterns and cognitive abilities as early Homo sapiens in Africa, reshaping our understanding of human evolution and technological innovation.
Source: New York University
