Researchers in Spain have uncovered evidence suggesting that Neanderthals were capable of creating art, challenging the long-held belief that artistic expression began solely with modern humans. The discovery involved a quartz-rich granite pebble excavated from a rock shelter in central Spain, dated between 42,000 and 43,000 years old. Measuring over 8 inches, the pebble features curves and indentations resembling a human face, complemented by a single red dot in the position of a nose.
David Álvarez-Alonso, the study’s lead author, noted that this object appeared to be non-utilitarian, indicating it was likely created for symbolic expression. The red dot was identified as ochre, a natural pigment, and further investigation revealed it was a fingerprint, confirming that it was deliberately applied. This suggests that the Neanderthal who created it, possibly an adult male, perceived the pebble as a face through a cognitive phenomenon known as pareidolia, leading to what might be one of the oldest abstractions of a human face in prehistory.
This find is also significant as it represents the most intact Neanderthal fingerprint to date. While Neanderthals coexisted with early modern humans and showed no evident intellectual inferiority, the artifact highlights their potential for symbolic behavior, indicating a capacity for complex thought. However, Álvarez-Alonso cautioned against drawing direct parallels with Homo sapiens, indicating that while this pebble provides insights into Neanderthal cognition, they did not develop a visual symbolic system as intricate as that of modern humans. The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting the complexity of Neanderthal minds, even if it does not answer all questions regarding their cognitive capabilities.
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