Markings in Spanish Cave Made by Neanderthals

News August 3, 2021

(© João Zilhão, ICREA)
SHARE:
Neanderthal Pigment Stalagtite
(© João Zilhão, ICREA)

CUEVA DE ARDALES, SPAIN—According to a statement released by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)), a team led by University of Bordeaux archaeologist Franceso d’Errico has found that red markings in Spain’s Cueva de Ardales were intentionally painted more than 65,000 years ago. Scholars had previously argued that the markings were a natural deposit of iron oxide left by flowing water. But the team found that the red residue did not match other iron oxide deposits in the cave and were deliberately made by Neanderthals, who were the only inhabitants of this part of Europe when the marks were made. The team also found evidence that the markings were left over the course of thousands of years, suggesting many generations of Neanderthals visited the cave to make paintings. For more on recent research into Neanderthal cognitive abilities, go to “Twisted Neanderthal Tech.” 

  • Features July/August 2021

    Autobiography of a Maya Ambassador

    A grand monument and a humble burial chronicle the changing fortunes of a career diplomat

    Read Article
    (Justin Kerr, K-5763, Justin Kerr Maya Vase Archive, Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University, Washington, D.C.)
  • Letter from Alaska July/August 2021

    The Cold Winds of War

    A little-known World War II campaign in the Aleutian Islands left behind an undisturbed battlefield strewn with weapons and materiel

    Read Article
    (Brendan Coyle)
  • Artifacts July/August 2021

    Egyptian Copper Tools

    Read Article
    (Courtesy Martin Odler and Jiří Kmošek, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University)
  • Digs & Discoveries July/August 2021

    A Challenging World

    Read Article
    (Courtesy Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities Authority)