Until recently, it was believed that only homo sapiens created cave paintings. A recent study, however, has found cave paintings in three caves in Spain made by Neanderthals from at least 64.000 years old, long before human beings entered Europe. These cave paintings include the outlines of hands, but also geometric patters and even animals (see the next post). This finding shows, once more, how close the Neanderthals, who diverged from a common ancestor around 500.000 years ago, resemble our own species.
Until recently, it was believed that only homo sapiens created cave paintings. A recent study, however, has found cave paintings in three caves in Spain made by Neanderthals from at least 64.000 years old, long before human beings entered Europe. These cave paintings include the outlines of hands, but also geometric patters and even animals (see the next post). This finding shows, once more, how close the Neanderthals, who diverged from a common ancestor around 500.000 years ago, resemble our own species.
The Neanderthals also pierced shells in order to form necklaces. Some of these shells also show pigment, showing some of these shells were also painted. This finding shows, once more, how close the Neanderthals, who diverged from a common ancestor around 500.000 years ago, resemble our own species.
Some evidence suggests that the Neanderthals even buried their dead. In the past, various skeletons found with weapons and animal bones were assumed to be part of a burial. As a result, it was speculated that these grave goods were added for use in the afterlife, as we see with later graves of homo sapiens. However, more recently, paleontologists have doubted whether these skeletons were actually buried. It simply isn't clear from the evidence. They might simply have died in the position we have found them in. However, at least two skeletons seem to have been buried in hand dug holes. This suggests a burial. Yet, in these cases, no grave goods were found. (Source: The First Humans)
In 2013, the first high quality DNA was extracted from the toe of a female Neanderthal of about 50.000 years old. It turned out about 1-4% of our own DNA has resulted from interbreeding with Neanderthals. It is highest in East-Asians and Europeans and (almost) absent in Africans.
