Neanderthals Clothing: What Did Neanderthals Wear?
Neanderthals, our ancient relatives, lived in cold regions like Northern Europe and Siberia. To survive in these frigid climates, they likely wore clothing made from leather and furs. Although no direct evidence of Neanderthal clothing has been found, there are some clues that suggest they were skilled at crafting garments.
One piece of evidence comes from a stone scraper found in Germany with residue that likely came from hide processing 200,000 years ago. This residue contained acid from oak bark, which is used to tan animal skins. Additionally, stone and bone awls found at a Neanderthal site in France suggest that they may have used these tools to attach hides together for clothing or shelter.
The genetics of head and body lice also provide some insights into the history of clothing. The divergence of head and body lice between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens suggests that our ancestors began wearing clothing between 170,000 and 72,000 years ago. This is further supported by the dental wear patterns seen in Neanderthals, similar to those of contemporary Inuit people who use their teeth to soften animal hides for clothing.
A fragment of a three-ply cord found in France dating back to 41,000-52,000 years ago is the oldest direct evidence of Neanderthal fiber technology. This cord could have been used for various purposes, including making shoes and fabric. The absence of widespread evidence of frostbite in Neanderthal skeletons also indicates that they likely wore hand and foot protection to combat the cold.
While it is widely accepted that Neanderthals wore clothing, the exact nature of their garments is still debated among researchers. Some suggest that Neanderthals may have worn simple loincloths or capes, while others believe they had more sophisticated outfits similar to those of the Inuit people today.
Overall, the evidence points to Neanderthals being skilled at crafting clothing to protect themselves from the harsh environments they lived in. Their ability to innovate and adapt to their surroundings is a testament to their intelligence and resourcefulness. As we continue to uncover more about Neanderthals, we gain a deeper understanding of our ancient relatives and the evolution of human fashion.
