In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, researchers from the Université de Montréal and the University of Genoa have provided compelling evidence that Neanderthals, far from being “primitive,” exhibited behaviors strikingly similar to those of Homo sapiens, particularly in how they organized and utilized their living spaces. The research, led by doctoral student Amélie Vallerand from UdeM, focused on the Riparo Bombrini site in northwestern Italy, where they analyzed artifacts and features from the Protoaurignacian and Mousterian levels, periods associated with Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, respectively.
By carefully mapping the distribution of stone tools, animal bones, ochre, and marine shells found at the site, the team was able to reconstruct the spatial organization of the site. They identified distinct clusters of materials, which helped them infer the behavioral patterns of the groups who lived there. The patterns they discovered suggest that both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens organized their settlements in a structured way, providing new insight into the cognitive abilities and social practices of Neanderthals.
According to Vallerand, the spatial distribution of artifacts hinted at an underlying structure in the way the site was utilized. “This homogeneity in spatial distribution hinted at an underlying structure in how these ancient humans utilized the space,” she explained. The researchers applied quantitative and statistical methods to minimize bias, leading to more robust interpretations of the site’s spatial organization. By identifying contiguous clusters of similar materials, they were able to uncover activity zones within the site, each potentially dedicated to different tasks, such as tool-making, cooking, or socializing.
One of the most striking findings of the study was the shared behavioral traits between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, specifically their capacity for spatial organization. Both species demonstrated a clear use of high and low-intensity activity zones within the site, a pattern that suggests they both possessed a cognitive ability to plan and structure their living areas. This structural organization was further evidenced by the central placement of hearths and a refuse pit, both of which persisted through multiple occupations of the site. This continuity suggests that these ancient human groups returned to the site over thousands of years, maintaining a consistent layout that reflected their long-term occupation strategies.
Both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens also organized their activities around land-use and mobility strategies. For both groups, occupation patterns varied according to factors like the duration of occupation, the frequency of reoccupation, and the number of individuals present. These findings indicate that planning and organization were key factors in both species’ ability to adapt to and thrive in their respective environments. “There’s an underlying logic to how the space was used, regardless of which species was present at the time,” Vallerand noted.
However, the study also revealed key differences in how Neanderthals and Homo sapiens occupied the Riparo Bombrini site. Neanderthal occupation was characterized by lower-intensity patterns, with fewer clusters of artifacts and lower artifact densities. This suggests that Neanderthals utilized the site in a more sporadic manner, possibly as part of a high-mobility system in response to rapid climatic changes. In contrast, Homo sapiens alternated between short-term and long-term occupation of the site, indicating a more stable, sedentary lifestyle as they adjusted to their new environment.
The transition from the Late Mousterian (Neanderthal) to the Protoaurignacian (Homo sapiens) techno-complex at the site marks a significant moment in the prehistory of the region. The researchers found no evidence of direct contact between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens during this transition, suggesting that these two species lived in close proximity but did not interact at the Riparo Bombrini site.
This study highlights the importance of directly comparing the spatial behaviors of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens at the same site, using consistent analytical parameters to minimize bias. It provides a clearer understanding of how these two species adapted to their environments and organized their living spaces. The findings also challenge the traditional view of Neanderthals as primitive and unsophisticated. “Like Homo sapiens, Neanderthals organized their living space in a structured way, according to the different tasks that took place there and to their needs,” Vallerand said. “This is yet another study indicating that Neanderthals were more ‘human’ than is generally assumed.”
Source: University of Montreal