Neanderthal Europe was as much a wooden age as a stone age
When Neanderthals dominated Europe, it was likely that wood was at least as important to them as stone for working into tools
A recent discovery in a Spanish cave has challenged the notion that Neanderthals' technological life was primarily based on stone. Analysis of 600 wooden objects, dating back 40,000 to 62,000 years, unearthed at the Abric Romaní site near Barcelona has shown Neanderthals utilized wood extensively in their everyday lives. While most of the timber discovered were simple trunks, branches, and firewood accumulations, researchers found a range of sophisticated wooden tools, weapons, building materials, and domestic items.
These findings, the most extensive systematic review of Neanderthal woodworking to date, reveal a level of skill and planning in wood manipulation comparable to that of Homo sapiens. Particularly striking were two spears shaped from wood, showcasing Neanderthals' understanding of wood properties. The cave also contained a mysterious "club-like" object, which presents no precedent in the prehistoric record, boasting a distinct narrow handle and an enlarged asymmetrical head.
The research team's findings demonstrate that wood was not just a byproduct of Neanderthal existence, but a normal and integral part of their daily lives, encompassing hunting, domestic tasks, containers, and living spaces. The discovery of this diverse range of wooden objects spanning thousands of years at different archaeological levels provides a more comprehensive understanding of Neanderthal technological repertoire and challenges previous assumptions about their reliance on stone alone.
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