Neanderthals were just as intelligent asHomo sapiens – that ’s the conclusion of research that , base on more than 20 years worth of excavations , demonstrates our ancient full cousin knew how to control fire and used it to prepare solid food .
It ’s perhaps not that surprising given what we already know about the nonextant hominins . In the last few weeks alone we ’ve obtain out that theyhunted lionsand used their skin , and that theymade their own glue .
" This [ new finding ] confirms our reflection and theory from late studies , ” Diego Angelucci , an archeologist at the University of Trento and co - author of the study , say in astatement .
" Neanderthals were up to of symbolic mentation , could make artistic aim , sleep together how to decorate their body using personal ornaments , and had an extremely varied dieting . Add to that that , based on our findings , we can say with foregone conclusion that they habitually ate cooked food for thought . This power confirms that they were as skilled as theHomo sapienswho lived millennia later . "
It was largely agreed among archaeologists that Neanderthals couldusefire , but not neccessarily that they were able-bodied tomakeit , let alone utilize it for preparation , heating , and defense .
“ In this study we demonstrate that there is no doubt that Neanderthals could make a fire and that flaming was a primal component in their daily biography , " Angelucci added .
The team studied the remains of fires come up in the Gruta de Oliveira , Portugal , one of the most important archaeologic sites from the Middle Palaeolithic in Europe . Over 20 years between 1989 and 2012 , a series of excavations was carry in the cave connection , the oldest stratum of which particular date back to around 120,000 years ago , while the most late to about 40,000 . It is think that Neanderthals dwell the caves between 100,000 and 70,000 years ago .
Among a treasure trove of artifact and stiff , the researchers were pull out to traces of hearths that had been build and used intentionally . They discovered around a twelve , fill up with remains .
" We base burn bones , burnt wood and ash tree persist , ” sound out Angelucci . “ And the rock underneath has been blush by the heating plant : this is a of the essence detail because it evidence us that the construction is in a primary position . And it has always been there . ”
From this , they draw the conclusion that the cave ’s inhabitants hadmastered fireand used it to cook their food .
“ Fire is a key component in their casual lifespan . It makes the lieu easy and helps socialization . It gives back that introductory idea of ‘ home base ’ that perhaps could also apply to them , " Angelucci continued .
In addition , the team were able-bodied to decipher what a oafish diet might have looked like , and even what cooking techniques they might have favor . In the hearths , they detect the remains of goat , deer , horses , aurochs ( out dogshit ) , rhinos , and turtles , suggesting that , these Neanderthals at least , had a taste for meat .
It persist a mystery how they started these flame , although Angelucci has some mind : " Perhaps they did as in Neolithic times , striking Flint River rocks against another rock to make sparks on a tinder , such as a dry nest for representative . ” However , no evidence has been rule of this .
When the team compared their findings from the Gruta de Oliveira with other sites in the area that were engross much later , likely byHomo sapiens , they “ determine no difference : they live in the cave in alike ways , ” Angelucci concluded .
“ Their skills are also a sign of news . They did not belong to dissimilar mintage , I would say that they were dissimilar human form . "
The study is put out inPLOS ONE .
