A recent study has provided compelling evidence that Neanderthals, not modern humans, were the creators of some of the oldest known cave paintings. The discovery centers on hand silhouettes found in the Maltravieso cave in Cáceres, Spain, which have now been dated to a remarkable 66,700 years ago, a time when Neanderthals were the dominant human species in Europe.
The Maltravieso Cave: A Window into Prehistoric Art
The Maltravieso cave, first discovered in 1951, is renowned for its collection of prehistoric art. Among the most significant findings are 71 hand silhouettes, which were made by placing hands on the cave walls and blowing pigment around them. These handprints were left behind as a striking and enduring record of the individuals who created them.
In 2018, a groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Southampton first suggested that Neanderthals might have been behind these ancient artworks, sparking significant debate in the archaeological community. Now, a second study has confirmed that the hand prints are at least 66,700 years old, pre-dating the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe by over 20,000 years.
Uranium-Thorium Dating: A Game Changer for Archaeology
Determining the age of cave paintings is notoriously difficult because the pigments used—primarily iron oxides like hematite—cannot be directly radiocarbon dated. However, researchers have developed alternative methods to date ancient art, one of which is uranium-thorium dating. This technique involves analyzing calcium carbonate crusts that form on top of the artwork over time.
The team’s use of this method revealed that the handprints were created long before the first modern humans arrived in Europe, challenging the long-held assumption that only Homo sapiens could produce symbolic art. The study underscores how Neanderthals, long thought to be intellectually inferior to humans, were capable of complex behaviors such as art creation.
Rewriting the Story of Neanderthal Culture
The new findings about the Maltravieso cave paintings provide a profound shift in how scientists view Neanderthal cognitive abilities and cultural practices. These discoveries suggest that Neanderthals were not the brutish, simple creatures they have often been portrayed as, but instead were sophisticated beings capable of symbolic thinking and artistic expression.
The recognition of Neanderthal art adds depth to our understanding of their social and cognitive lives, blurring the lines between our species and theirs. As archaeologist João Zilhão, one of the study’s lead authors, explained, “The traditional view of Neanderthals as culturally and intellectually inferior to modern humans is no longer tenable.”
Implications for Human Evolution
This discovery is not only a triumph for archaeology but also a turning point in the study of human evolution. It suggests that the ability for artistic expression—once considered a hallmark of Homo sapiens—might have been shared with Neanderthals, challenging traditional ideas about what makes us human.
The study opens the door to new questions about how art and symbolic behavior evolved and how these traits influenced the relationship between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Understanding the cultural and cognitive capabilities of Neanderthals may also provide valuable insights into the processes of human evolution and the eventual rise of modern humans.
