A eccentric of complex adhesive agent ground on stone tools made byNeanderthalshas provided researchers with new insights into the tidings of this extinct human species . Made of a mix of bitumen and ocher , the multi - compoundglueresembles that employed by earlyHomo sapiensin Africa , signal that our ancient cousins may have had a similar level of cognition to our own ascendent .
Like early innovative humans , Neanderthals are know to have usedbirch pitchas a character of mucilage for impound Harlan F. Stone vane to wooden hafts . However , until now , more refined mixture containing ocher had only ever been attributed to our own species .
Yet this story has become unstuck thanks to a fresh psychoanalysis of 40,000 - class - old stone tools from the iconic Le Moustier website in France , which loan its name to the Mousterian technological coordination compound that is largely associated with theNeanderthals of the Middle Palaeolithic . Chemical analyses of colored rest on five Neanderthal - made tools reveal traces of both goethite ochre and bitumen , a component of crude oil .
Traces of the ancient adhesive on a stone artifact.Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, photo: Ewa Dutkiewicz
“ We were surprised that the ochre content was more than 50 pct , ” explained work generator Patrick Schmidt in astatement . “ This is because air - dried bitumen can be used unaltered as an adhesive , but loses its adhesive properties when such large ratio of ocher are bestow . ”
The researchers therefore conclude that the mixture was undesirable for hafting , but may have served a different function . For example , among AfricanHomo sapiens , adhesive agent containing ocher were sometimes used as a grip for endocarp tool , cut out the need for a grip and play as a direct point of liaison between the utensil and the substance abuser ’s hand .
To investigate how this particular assortment may have been utilized by the Neanderthals of Le Moustier , the subject area authors conducted their own experiment using stone tools and different expression of ancient adhesives . When using suitcase made of consummate bitumen , they found that the message left “ sticky stain on the manus , which are difficult to remove . ”
Pure bitumen is too sticky, but the addition of ocher makes a great grip.Image credit: Schmidt et al., Sci. Adv. 10, eadl0822 (2024)
However , mixtures that control 55 percent goethite ocher “ feel more square and are not gluey to the touch . ”
“ When treat such a grip , no bitumen sticks to the operator ’s hands , ” write the researchers . “ Thus , mix eminent ocher loads in fresh bitumen presents an advantage for such composite tools . "
Based on these findings , the study authors conclude that Neanderthals used the mix as it was sticky enough to enhance their grip on a I. F. Stone dick , but not so steamy that it stick to their hands . As such , it was the perfect material for using as a grip .
“ These amazingly well - preserved tools showcase a technical solution broadly standardized to examples of tools made by other mod humanity in Africa , but the precise formula reflects a Neanderthal ‘ spin , ’ which is the production of bag for hand-held tools , ” say study author Radu Iovita .
Such innovation becomes even more telling when one considers that the nigh source of bitumen to Le Moustier was an oilfield some 200 km ( 124 miles ) to the south , while ocher would have been collected from a goethite rock outcrop about 50 kilometers ( 31 mi ) Union of the ancient site .
According to the survey authors , putting these two component together for a specific intention “ implied cognitive process , such as forward - planning and vision . ”
“ Compound adhesives are believe to be among the first expressions of the modern cognitive processes that are still active today , ” said Schmidt . “ What our study shows is that earlyHomo sapiensin Africa and Neanderthals in Europe had similar intend patterns . ”
The study is publish in the journalScience Advances .
