1,500 Animal Remains and Tools Suggest Neanderthals Returned to This Spanish Cave for Generations
Learn how animal bones and stone tools are helping archaeologists reconstruct Neanderthal camp life in northern Spain.
In northern Spain, near the Trema River, archaeologists and volunteers have uncovered remarkable evidence of Neanderthal activity at the Prado Vargas cave. Over 1,500 animal remains and stone tools, dating back approximately 46,000 years, have been discovered in a layer thought to have been a Neanderthal camp site. This site, part of the Ojo Guareña complex in Burgos province, saw the excavation of a substantial area, contributing to its reputation as one of the largest Neanderthal cave excavations globally.
Among the bones found were remnants of horses, wild boar, bison, aurochs, and deer, all showing signs of butchering. The Neanderthals also used the bones to create and maintain their stone tools, known as retouchers. The collection of these bone tools is extensive, with over 100 examples found this summer, aiding researchers in understanding this technique.
About 95 percent of the stone tools discovered were made of flint, with the remainder being quartzite and quartz. This summer's excavation also revealed a hearth left by Homo sapiens about 35,000 years ago, providing insights into the interactions between Neanderthals and early humans.
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