Deciphering Neanderthal Ingenuity: Evidence of Advanced Cognitive Abilities

Unveiling Neanderthals' Sophisticated Tool-Making Techniques

Recent research¹ has unveiled a remarkable aspect of Neanderthal intelligence: their adeptness in crafting complex adhesives to bind stone tools, challenging prior assumptions of their cognitive capabilities.

Led by Patrick Schmidt and Ewa Dutkiewicz, an interdisciplinary team of scientists from New York University, the University of Tübingen, and the National Museums in Berlin embarked on a groundbreaking study, published in Science Advances. Their focus? Stone tools from Le Moustier, a renowned archaeological site in France, providing a window into Neanderthal technology during the Middle Paleolithic period, approximately 120,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The stone tool was affixed to a handle crafted from liquid bitumen, combined with 55% ocher. This adhesive mixture resulted in a non-sticky substance, allowing for easy handling. (Image credit: Patrick Schmidt)