Neanderthals , our closemouthed extinct human congeneric , were long painted as primitive , thuggish beast that werecognitively inferiorto modern humanity . But it is becoming increasingly apparent that we may have vastlyunderestimatedthe intellectual power of our ancient cousins . For example , researchers have assemble grounds that suggests they intentionallyburied their deadand occasionally grace their grave withofferings , give care for their sick , adorned themselves withbird feathers and claw , and consumed avaried dieting . Some even believe they may have used plants formedicinal purposes .
Now , to sum up to this growing consistence of grounds , researchers have discover a cave engraving that could be the first known example ofNeanderthal rock art . The breakthrough is of import because it suggests that like modern homo , Neanderthals may have had the capacitance forabstract expression . The field of study has been published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
The engraving was unearthed in Gorham ’s Cave in Gibraltar , southern Europe . The cross - crosshatched pattern was buried beneath undisturbed sediment that also yielded39,000 - year - oldartifacts . The stylus of these stone tools ( Mousterian ) strongly suggest that they were made by Neanderthals rather than modern humans . Geochemical depth psychology of the mineral layer atop the shape also confirm that the engraving was created before the sediment was wedge .
In decree to find out how the engraving was likely created , the researchers made a series of data-based grooves using different peter and cut actions . They find that it was likely produced by repeatedly passing a pointed putz or cutting peak over the rock in the same direction . This indicates that the engraving was made intentionally , rather than merely being the result of other activities such as preparing food . moreover , archeologist Francesco d’Errico guide out toBBC Newsthat the rock-and-roll is very hard and therefore a fate of effort would have been expect to produce engraving . He estimates that it would have taken at least an hour to create the blueprint .
We will probably never know the meaning behind the pattern , but it has been speculated that it may have do as amarkingto indicate that the cave was absorb . It is also potential that it could have help aritual intent .
While it is generally concur that the engraving is indicative of abstract persuasion , whether or not it was truly made by Neanderthals is contentious . This is because the dating wasindirectas the sediment was examined rather than the rock itself . moreover , we have intercourse that modern humans first arrived in Europeseveral thousand yearsbefore the Neanderthals disappeared .
Clive Gamble , an archeologist at the University of Southampton , believes that Neanderthals would have been more than capable of creating tilt engravings , but is conservative of the geological dating . “ While I require Neanderthals to be picture , carving and etching , I ’m reserving judgment , ” he toldabc News .
[ Viaabc News , BBC NewsandPNAS ]
