Neanderthals crafted wood into everyday tools in Spain

Archaeologists in Spain uncovered nearly 600 wooden objects, and the impressions they left, at a rock shelter called Abric Romaní, revealing Neanderthals skillfully worked with wood between 40,000 and 62,000 years ago.

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA) documented the artifacts, which include shaped branches, roots, and what appear to be trays, weapons, and shelter supports. The site’s unique conditions, periodic flooding and mineral-rich water, helped preserve the wood, trapping it within travertine limestone.

This discovery challenges the long-held view of Neanderthals as less sophisticated than Homo sapiens. While stone tools are more common in the archaeological record because they last longer, this site demonstrates Neanderthals used wood extensively in their daily lives. The variety of wooden objects found at Abric Romaní suggests it was a living space with fireplaces, sleeping areas, and waste disposal, unlike other sites with limited wooden artifacts found in muddy lake environments.

Previously, a wooden spear found in Germany with a straight-tusked elephant skeleton faced skepticism due to poor documentation, but recent analysis confirmed Neanderthals used it to hunt large animals. The Spanish findings, along with this evidence, indicate a more complex and versatile toolkit than previously understood. Experts note this is likely just a small glimpse into a wider range of Neanderthal woodworking skills yet to be discovered.