{
  "id": 80409,
  "title": "Rock crystal scraper: 45,000-year-old Neanderthal tool that shows they had an 'eye for beauty of form and color'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/rock-crystal-scraper-45-000-year-old-neanderthal-tool-that-shows-they",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-03T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Science",
    "slug": "live-science",
    "url": "https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/neanderthals/rock-crystal-scraper-45-000-year-old-neanderthal-tool-that-shows-they-had-an-eye-for-beauty-of-form-and-color"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 45,000 to 80,000 year-old rock crystal scraper, discovered in southwestern France's Dordogne region, demonstrates Neanderthals' appreciation for aesthetics and quality of materials used. Unearthed in 1924 by the American School of Prehistoric Research, the translucent quartz tool was the first of its kind found among Neanderthal artifacts, challenging prevailing views of Neanderthals as unintelligent brutes. This cache of seven microcrystalline quartz tools was likely crafted on-site at the Abri Des Merveilles cave, with additional quartz chips indicating the creation process. The tool, preserved in the National Archaeological Museum, helps reshape our understanding of Neanderthals' artistic abilities and discernment of beauty.",
  "summary": "A chance find of rare rock crystal tools a century ago paved the way for a better understanding of Neanderthals today.",
  "key_points": [
    "45,000 to 80,000 year-old rock crystal scraper found in Dordogne, France",
    "First Neanderthal tool with aesthetic appreciation discovered",
    "Seven quartz tools likely crafted at Abri Des Merveilles cave"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Neanderthal growth hormone receptor increases muscle mass in people today, study shows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/neanderthal-growth-hormone-receptor-increases-muscle-mass-in-people",
        "published": "2026-08-05T18:20:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}