Neanderthals, our ancient relatives, were not just primitive beings. A recent study has revealed that they had the ability to engineer materials for their own needs, including making a type of glue to enhance the grip of their stone tools. This discovery sheds light on their capabilities and thinking patterns, challenging the popular stereotype of Neanderthals as knuckle-dragging brutes.
The artifacts in question were unearthed at a French archaeological site called Le Moustier, believed to have been used by Neanderthals between 120,000 and 40,000 years ago. These stone tools had been untouched since the 1960s and were individually wrapped at the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin. It was only during a recent internal review of the collection that their existence came to light.
When Patrick Schmidt, a researcher from the University of Tübingen, and his colleagues examined the artifacts in detail, they found traces of organic substances on them. These included ocher, a naturally occurring earth pigment, and bitumen, which can be found in soil or produced from crude oil. The researchers recreated the adhesive grip using bitumen from a lake in France’s Massif Central and ocher from Italy.
The surprising discovery was that Neanderthals used the adhesive to mold handles for their stone tools rather than attaching them to wood. The combination of bitumen and ocher created a viscous mass that could be touched and used as handles. Microscopic wear on the stone tools indicated that the handheld part was polished, suggesting abrasion from the movement within the ocher-bitumen grip.
This finding not only demonstrates the resourcefulness of Neanderthals but also reveals their engineering skills. Schmidt explains that they acted as early engineers, creating materials according to their needs. The fact that they obtained the materials from different regions, far away from each other, indicates that these grips held high value for their makers.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence that challenges the popular perception of Neanderthals. They were not just primitive beings but had the ability to make string, engrave bones and cave walls, and even assemble jewelry from eagle talons. These discoveries highlight the intelligence and creativity of our ancient relatives.
The ability of Neanderthals to engineer materials for their own needs provides valuable insights into their capabilities and way of thinking. It shows that they were not just survival-oriented but also had a desire to improve their tools and enhance their daily lives. This discovery is a testament to the ingenuity of our ancient relatives and reminds us that intelligence and creativity have deep roots in our shared evolutionary history.
