The Neanderthals did more than we thought - 08/13/13 01:46 AM
Phys.Org:Neandertals made the first specialized bone tools in Europe
The story in the link discusses the discovery of leather working tools made of bone from 50,000 years ago. They were found at a Neanderthal site in France. The bone tools are the same type as are still used by leather workers today. Since modern Humans didn't enter Europe until around 40,000 years ago it appears that the Neanderthals were making sophisticated tools considerably before we got there to show them how. Up until now most anthropologists didn't think that the Neanderthals had developed the skills to make such tools.
I don't expect that most anthropologists will be immediately won over, but it is another point in favor of the Neanderthals being smarter than we have given them credit for.
Bill Gill
The story in the link discusses the discovery of leather working tools made of bone from 50,000 years ago. They were found at a Neanderthal site in France. The bone tools are the same type as are still used by leather workers today. Since modern Humans didn't enter Europe until around 40,000 years ago it appears that the Neanderthals were making sophisticated tools considerably before we got there to show them how. Up until now most anthropologists didn't think that the Neanderthals had developed the skills to make such tools.
I don't expect that most anthropologists will be immediately won over, but it is another point in favor of the Neanderthals being smarter than we have given them credit for.
Bill Gill