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)

Unearthing Neanderthal Ingenuity

The meticulous examination of stone tools from Le Moustier revealed traces of a sophisticated adhesive, comprising a blend of ocher and bitumen. Significantly, this composite adhesive reflects a cognitive prowess previously underestimated in Neanderthals.

Before mixing, liquid bitumen and the earth pigment ocher are depicted. Image credit: Patrick Schmidt.

"We were astonished by the advanced technical solution mirrored in these well-preserved tools," remarks Radu Iovita, an associate professor at New York University. The adhesive, primarily composed of ocher, exceeded 50%, a surprising revelation.

Unraveling Neanderthal Innovation

Tensile tests and microscopic analyses unveiled the adhesive's functionality. When combined with liquid bitumen, the ocher-rich mixture transformed into a malleable substance, ideal for tool handles. Microscopic wear patterns further corroborated the tools' use as handheld implements, exhibiting telltale signs of abrasion from ocher movement within the grip.

Micrographs depict wear patterns on a Neanderthal tool from the Middle Paleolithic era. The drawing, annotated in the upper left corner, highlights specific areas: a) Polished edge of the tool handle. b) Polish under adhesive. c) Ridge formed by stone removal. d) Worn ridge within adhesive grip. Credit: Drawing by D. Greinert, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Implications for Human Evolution

This discovery challenges conventional narratives, suggesting a convergence between Neanderthal and early Homo sapiens cognitive capabilities. The sophisticated production of multi-component adhesives reflects an advanced level of cultural and technological evolution among Neanderthals.

"Compound adhesives signify a significant milestone in human cognitive development," asserts Schmidt. Moreover, the effort invested in collecting and processing adhesive materials underscores Neanderthals' strategic planning and targeted resource exploitation.

A Paradigm Shift in Understanding

The study's findings underscore the need to reassess Neanderthals' cognitive capacities and their contributions to technological innovation. Far from primitive, these ancient hominins displayed remarkable ingenuity, reshaping our understanding of human evolution.

"In Le Moustier, Neanderthals showcased a level of cognitive sophistication previously overlooked," concludes Dutkiewicz. This revelation highlights the parallel cognitive trajectories of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens, offering profound insights into the complexity of human evolution.

1. Patrick Schmidt et al. Ochre-based compound adhesives at the Mousterian type-site document complex cognition and high investment.Sci. Adv.10,eadl0822(2024).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adl0822