Woodwork imprints reveal neandertal craftsmanship in Spain

Researchers identified nearly 600 wood imprints at the Abric Romaní site in Catalonia, Spain, dating from 62,000 to 40,000 years ago.

These findings show that Neandertaliens created a wide variety of wooden objects, ranging from hunting spears to household utensils. While scholars previously knew Neandertaliens worked with wood because of wear marks on their stone tools, these specific remains provide new evidence of their diverse craftsmanship.

Because wood decays quickly, these preserved imprints offer a rare look at the daily lives of these humans, who inhabited Europe for nearly 300,000 years. Jacques Jaubert of the Université de Bordeaux explains that these findings clarify how these early humans utilized different materials beyond just stone and bone.