An unexplored region at the base of the Southern Pyrenees in Spain is shedding light on a little-known chapter of Neanderthal history. New findings from The Australian National University (ANU) suggest that these revelations could assist archaeologists in understanding what led to the Neanderthals’ extinction.
An unexplored region at the base of the Southern Pyrenees in Spain is shedding light on a little-known chapter of Neanderthal history. New findings from The Australian National University (ANU) suggest that these revelations could assist archaeologists in understanding what led to the Neanderthals’ extinction.
Abric Pizarro is one of the rare locations worldwide that dates back 100,000 to 65,000 years during a timeframe known as MIS 4. Researchers have collected hundreds of thousands of artifacts, ranging from stone tools to animal bones and other materials, which offer substantial insights into the Neanderthal lifestyle during this previously obscure period.
The results indicate that Neanderthals were capable of adapting to their surroundings, challenging the stereotype of them as primitive, slow-moving beings, and revealing their survival and hunting abilities.
Dr. Sofia Samper Carro, the lead author and an archaeologist at ANU, stated that these findings demonstrate how adept Neanderthals were at exploiting their environment and surviving through tough climatic conditions.
“Our unexpected discoveries at Abric Pizarro illustrate the adaptability of Neanderthals. The bones we have excavated reveal that they hunted various animals, including red deer, horses, and bison, while also consuming freshwater turtles and rabbits, suggesting a level of planning not usually attributed to them,” she remarked.
The researchers claim these new observations contradict the common belief that Neanderthals primarily hunted large creatures like horses and rhinoceros.
“The bones we are discovering show cut marks, offering direct evidence that Neanderthals were skilled in hunting smaller animals,” Dr. Samper Carro commented.
“The bones at this location are exceptionally well-preserved, revealing how Neanderthals processed and butchered these animals.
“Additionally, our examination of the stone tools indicates a variety in the types produced, showcasing the Neanderthals’ ability to utilize the resources available in their environment.”
Gaining insight into this significant transitional phase aids archaeologists in addressing a long-standing question: What led to the Neanderthals’ extinction?
The researchers believe that discovering sites like Abric Pizarro, from this specific and inadequately documented era, provides valuable information about how Neanderthals thrived in an age before modern humans arrived.
“The distinctive site at Abric Pizarro offers a glimpse into Neanderthal behavior in a landscape they occupied for hundreds of thousands of years,” Dr. Samper Carro explained.
“Neanderthals vanished about 40,000 years ago. Shortly after, modern humans emerged in the Pyrenees, leading to the Neanderthals’ disappearance. However, prior to this, Neanderthals had been living in Europe for nearly 300,000 years.
“They were clearly knowledgeable about their surroundings and had survived for a long period.
“This site is remarkably intriguing, as it presents unique data about the time when Neanderthals lived alone in challenging conditions and how they thrived before modern humans appeared.”
Modern excavation techniques have allowed sites like Abric Pizarro and other nearby Neanderthal locations to provide detailed information regarding Neanderthal behavior.
“We create 3D mappings of every single piece larger than one to two centimeters that we find. Although this makes our work meticulous, and some of these sites have been excavated for over 20 years, it results in a uniquely precise documentation of the locations,” Dr. Samper Carro noted.
“We seek to understand how various types of data connect with one another, from stone tools to bones and cooking areas. This meticulous excavation method offers archaeologists insights into how Neanderthals lived and their duration of stay in a specific place.
“It’s not just the individual items that provide clues, but also their precise locations relative to other materials at the site, which helps us determine how and when Neanderthals used these areas. Were they permanent residents or merely passing through?”
The research team also included experts from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (CEPAP-UAB). The investigation in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees is backed by The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Culture Department of the Catalan Government.