Ancient Neanderthals Repurposed a 130,000-Year-Old Cave Lion Bone into a Multipurpose Tool Akin to a Swiss Army Knife
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers have unearthed a multitool crafted from the bone of a cave lion, providing significant insights into Neanderthal cognitive skills and resource utilization. This artifact, dated to approximately 130,000 years ago, was found in the Scladina Cave in Belgium, a site renowned for its rich archaeological treasures.
The multitool, consisting of four separate tools made from a single adult cave lion's tibia, has been identified as a remarkable example of Neanderthal adaptability and resource management. Researchers have discovered that these tools were bifacially shaped and used for multiple purposes, initially as chisels and later repurposed as retouchers for sharpening flint tools.
The deliberate shaping, use, and repurposing of the cave lion bone demonstrate Neanderthals' ability to adapt and reuse materials efficiently. The choice of cave lion bones for tool-making was based on their size, shape, and structural integrity, rather than species-specific preferences. This finding challenges the stereotype of Neanderthals as dim-witted or inferior, testifying instead to their technological behaviour based on forward planning, raw material knowledge, and functional adaptation.
Interestingly, the methods used to craft the cave lion multitool are similar to those used for tools made from bear bones, also found at Scladina Cave. This suggests that Neanderthals did not attach symbolic meaning to the animals but rather selected their bones based on practicality.
The discovery of the cave lion multitool represents a significant step in the evolution of Neanderthal resource utilization. It indicates that Neanderthals were capable of both utilizing and repurposing materials in a sustainable manner, providing new insights into their understanding of materials, planned tool use, and navigation of relationships with dangerous animals.
The Scladina multitool discovery expands our view of what Neanderthals were capable of, hinting at their ability to exploit everything they could, including lion meat, pelt, and bones for practical purposes as a raw material. This finding not only highlights their cognitive sophistication but also reveals their practical and efficient use of available resources.
The study of the Scladina multitool was conducted by researchers from Belgium's University of Ghent and international collaborators and appeared in the journal Scientific Reports. This extraordinary and unparalleled finding within the Paleolithic archaeological record serves as a reminder of what archaeology can still uncover, even from a single bone.
- The discovery of this multitool in the Scladina Cave, fashioned from a cave lion bone, provides valuable information about Neanderthal science and technology.
- The efficient use of cave lion bones for tool-making showcases Neanderthal resource management skills in the realm of animals and tech.
- Scientific research on the multitool has led to significant discoveries, shedding light on Neanderthal cognitive abilities and their understanding of general-news related to materials and Earth's resources.
- Findings from this study question stereotypes about Neanderthals' intelligence and suggest that they were tech-savvy, virtuoso elders, capable of skillful self-development and performing impactful discoveries in their lifestyle and medicine.
- The Scladina multitool demonstrates Neanderthal resourcefulness, as they made tools from large animals like cave lions, reusing them not just for the original purpose but also for entertainment and education-and-self-development activities.
- The revelation of Neanderthals' practical and innovative use of materials challenges our conventional understanding of paleo-sports, as they ventured close to dangerous animals for hunting and tool-making purposes.
- Coverage of this groundbreaking discovery will inspire future research, further advancing the science of archaeology, helping us to draw closer to complete understanding of our earth's history and Neanderthal culture.
