The finding raises new questions about Neanderthals’ cognitive abilities and their potential for creating symbolic art.
**Neanderthals’ Artistic Touch: Ancient Fingerprint Found on Pebble**
**Neanderthals’ Artistic Touch: Ancient Fingerprint Found on Pebble**
A remarkable discovery in Spain provides insights into the artistic capabilities of Neanderthals, with evidence of a human fingerprint found on a painted pebble.
In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists in Spain have unearthed what they believe to be the oldest complete human fingerprint, suggesting that Neanderthals were capable of artistic expression. The discovery took place at the San Lázaro rock shelter in Segovia, where researchers found a rock resembling a human face that appears to have been decorated approximately 43,000 years ago with red pigment.
The artwork, which consists of a distinct dot representing a nose, has led scientists to consider the implications of Neanderthals engaging in symbolic behavior, as articulated by study co-author María de Andrés-Herrero from the University of Complutense in Madrid. During an interview with BBC Newsday, she expressed excitement about the find, which emerged after five years of excavation. Indeed, the research team unearthed the stone, located beneath 1.5 meters (5 feet) of sediment attributed to Neanderthal activity.
At first, the team had difficulty understanding the significance of their finding, given that the stone was larger than others excavated at the site, bearing a striking red dot. Once they confirmed the mark was made using ochre, a natural clay pigment, they partnered with Spain's scientific police for further analysis. This collaboration enabled a comprehensive examination through multi-spectrum analysis, which resulted in the identification of a male adult fingerprint on the pebble.
Despite this landmark discovery, co-author David Álvarez Alonso expressed caution, noting the absence of other Neanderthal fingerprints for comparison complicated definitive conclusions about their origins. In a press conference detailing this significant discovery, Spanish official Gonzalo Santonja emphasized that this pebble is likely the oldest painted portable object recorded in Europe and marked by a Neanderthal.
Prof. de Andrés-Herrero regards this finding as a pivotal contribution to the discussions surrounding Neanderthals' symbolic capacities, revealing the first documented instance of a piece of portable art within an archaeological framework. The nature of the fingerprint’s context—non-utilitarian—implies that the dot was put there for artistic intent, challenging the notion that Neanderthals lacked creative thought.
The team posits that the Neanderthal may have intentionally selected the stone, attracted by its unique fissures, and purposefully applied ochre pigment to mark its surface. Notably, the pigments do not occur naturally within the shelter, reinforcing the idea that this was an intentional act, rather than coincidental.
In their published research in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, the authors argue that the San Lázaro pebble possesses unique characteristics deserving of recognition as a visual symbol potentially comparable to portable art in various cultural contexts. This discovery may reshape our understanding of Neanderthal cognition and the history of artistic expression.
The artwork, which consists of a distinct dot representing a nose, has led scientists to consider the implications of Neanderthals engaging in symbolic behavior, as articulated by study co-author María de Andrés-Herrero from the University of Complutense in Madrid. During an interview with BBC Newsday, she expressed excitement about the find, which emerged after five years of excavation. Indeed, the research team unearthed the stone, located beneath 1.5 meters (5 feet) of sediment attributed to Neanderthal activity.
At first, the team had difficulty understanding the significance of their finding, given that the stone was larger than others excavated at the site, bearing a striking red dot. Once they confirmed the mark was made using ochre, a natural clay pigment, they partnered with Spain's scientific police for further analysis. This collaboration enabled a comprehensive examination through multi-spectrum analysis, which resulted in the identification of a male adult fingerprint on the pebble.
Despite this landmark discovery, co-author David Álvarez Alonso expressed caution, noting the absence of other Neanderthal fingerprints for comparison complicated definitive conclusions about their origins. In a press conference detailing this significant discovery, Spanish official Gonzalo Santonja emphasized that this pebble is likely the oldest painted portable object recorded in Europe and marked by a Neanderthal.
Prof. de Andrés-Herrero regards this finding as a pivotal contribution to the discussions surrounding Neanderthals' symbolic capacities, revealing the first documented instance of a piece of portable art within an archaeological framework. The nature of the fingerprint’s context—non-utilitarian—implies that the dot was put there for artistic intent, challenging the notion that Neanderthals lacked creative thought.
The team posits that the Neanderthal may have intentionally selected the stone, attracted by its unique fissures, and purposefully applied ochre pigment to mark its surface. Notably, the pigments do not occur naturally within the shelter, reinforcing the idea that this was an intentional act, rather than coincidental.
In their published research in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, the authors argue that the San Lázaro pebble possesses unique characteristics deserving of recognition as a visual symbol potentially comparable to portable art in various cultural contexts. This discovery may reshape our understanding of Neanderthal cognition and the history of artistic expression.
