Neanderthals were more intelligent than previously thought, according to new research. They were very skilled in using fire and cooking with its help. This suggests that they were closer to a ‘different human form’ rather than a distinct human race.
The research, published in the journal PLoS One, shows that Neanderthals had an understanding of symbols. They could create works of art, they knew how to decorate using personal ornaments, their diet was extremely varied.
Scientists including Alessandra Celti from the University of Trento in Italy say that Neanderthals had a habit of eating cooked food, indicating that they were possibly as skilled as the ancients who came thousands of years later. Intelligent man.
Study co-author Diego Angelucci said: ‘In this study we have demonstrated that there is no doubt that Neanderthals could make fire and that fire was a central part of their daily life.’
The research included and compared fire remains found at Grotta de Oliveira in central Portugal. The site is one of the most important European archaeological sites for the Middle Stone Age.
This cave is a part of the chain of caves of Almunda. An extensive network of caves called Almonda is located at different altitudes above a large spring. These caves belong to different prehistoric periods.
Its oldest layers include several passages dating back to about 120,000 years ago, and the most recent are about 40,000 years old. Neanderthals probably lived at this site between 100,000 and 70,000 years ago.
Archaeologists found evidence of about a dozen hearths intentionally built and used in the cave at different levels in an area about 30 square meters wide and six meters deep.
The findings show that the cave dwellers used to cook for themselves.
Dr Angelucci says: ‘We found remains of charred bones, charred wood and ash, and the underlying rock is red from the heat. This is an important detail because it tells us that the structure is in its basic state.’
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According to Dr Angelucci: ‘And it’s always been there. Fire is a fundamental component of their daily life. It makes the space comfortable and helps in socializing. It introduces that basic idea of ’home’ that might be for them too.’
Scientists have found the remains and charred bones of cooked goats, deer, horses, orax (extinct oxen), rhinoceroses and tortoises, which were probably cooked on their backs on hot stones in the cave.
However, they are not sure how Neanderthals made fire.
According to the researchers: ‘Perhaps they threw sparks on dry grass by hitting stone on stone, like in the New Stone Age. For example a dry nest. This is a prehistoric technique discovered by studying the Ice Man, Ozzy. However, so far we have not found any evidence of this.’
Archaeologists then excavated some 30,000-year-old layers and compared the data with other more modern sites in the same region, confirming the presence of intelligent man in the area.
“We found no difference,” said Diego Angelucci, one of the study’s authors. They lived in caves like this. Their skill is also a sign of intelligence.’
‘Neanderthals did not belong to a different human race. I would say that they were different forms of man.’
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