Scientists have discovered unexpected innovations of Neanderthals in the manufacture of weapons: glue became rose
Subscribe not to miss the latest and most intrusive news from the world of science! This indicates that Neanderthals may have had a cognitive level similar to our ancestors. It is historically believed that Neanderthals used birch resin to attach stone blades to wooden holders. However, a recent analysis of stone guns, which is 40,000 years old, from the French parking lot, calls into question previous assumptions.
Chemical analysis of colored residues on these instruments revealed traces of both ocher and bitumen, component of crude oil. The researchers were surprised by the high content of Ocher, which exceeded 50 percent. The author of the study Patrick Schmidt explained that although bitumen dried in the air can in itself serve as adhesive, it loses its properties in case of significant addition of ocher.
Contrary to expectations, the researchers have come to the conclusion that this mixture is not suitable for bonding tools and weapons. Instead, they offered an alternative function. In African Homo Sapiens, glue with ocher was used to create stone tools, eliminating the need for a handle and providing direct contact between the tool and the user's hand. To understand how Neanderthals could use this adhesive mixture, researchers conducted experiments.
Pure bitumen left sticky spots on his hands, while a mixture of 55% of ocher was felt solid and not sticky. The authors of the study concluded that the Neanderthals used this mixture to strengthen the fastening with stone tools, at the same time it did not stick to the hands, which makes it the ideal material for creating a sleeve.
The authors of the study distinguished the innovativeness of the Neanderthals, especially given that the nearest source of bitumen was 200 kilometers south, and Ohr had to be harvested 50 kilometers north of Le Mustier. According to researchers, the combination of these ingredients for a specific purpose required cognitive processes such as promising planning and imagination.
In fact, the study suggests that Neanderthals and early Homo Sapiens in Africa used similar cognitive processes, demonstrating a great level of ancient ingenuity. The results of the study highlight the importance of complex adhesives as early manifestations of cognitive processes, which are still relevant today. Although this discovery does not exceed its meaning, it binds Neanderthals to early human thinking. Earlier, Focus wrote about unique prehistoric burials of the culture of wooden coffins.