Title: Neanderthals Revealed: Ancient Hominids Hunted Cave Lions and Mastered Fire
By Pierre Herubel
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered new evidence about the fascinating lives of Neanderthals, dispelling misconceptions about their intelligence and creativity. Recent studies have revealed that these hominids hunted enormous Eurasian cave lions, surpassing the size of modern-day lions. Additionally, after extensive research spanning two decades, scientists have confirmed that Neanderthals possessed advanced fire-making skills and used fire for cooking and comfort. They even adorned themselves with artistic ornaments, revealing a surprising similarity to modern humans in their preference for fine dining and fashion.
Excavations carried out between 1989 and 2012 at Gruta de Oliveira in central Portugal, a significant European archaeological site from the Middle Paleolithic era, shed further light on the ways of Neanderthals. The artifacts unearthed at the caves of Gruta de Oliveira included remains dating back to the Lower Paleolithic and chipped stones from the later part of the Middle Paleolithic. Notably, researchers discovered a dozen hearths, circular structures filled with charred bones, burnt wood, ash, and remnants of various animals such as goats, deer, horses, extinct aurochs, rhinos, and even turtles. Diego Angelucci, one of the study’s authors, highlighted that other excavations near Cartagena in Spain had revealed remains of fish, mussels, mollusks, and roasted pine nuts.
The presence of hearths and the reddening of rocks beneath them provided substantial evidence that Neanderthals intentionally started fires and utilized them for cooking and potentially creating a more comfortable living environment. This finding puts an end to the long-running debate among archaeologists regarding whether the fires were a result of natural processes or intentionally sparked by Neanderthals. However, the exact methods of fire ignition, hypothesized to involve striking flint rocks together, still lack definitive evidence.
Furthermore, this discovery reveals striking similarities between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, who coexisted in the same region during that period. Angelucci emphasizes that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens lived in caves and shared similar lifestyles, demonstrating intelligence and ingenuity. He argues that Neanderthals were not a different species but rather a distinct form of human.
These groundbreaking findings reshape our understanding of Neanderthals, dispelling the notion that they were primitive beings. Their remarkable hunting abilities, mastery of fire, and their appreciation for culinary and artistic expression reflect a more complex and intriguing picture of our early human ancestors. As scientific research continues, we can expect further revelations about the intelligence and sophistication of the Neanderthals, painting a more accurate portrait of our shared evolutionary history.
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