Archaeologists in the Iberian Peninsula have unearthed a remarkable discovery – a 65,000-year-old tar-making “factory” created by Neanderthals. This factory, found in Gibraltar, predates the arrival of modern humans in the region by 20,000 years. The Neanderthals used this sticky tar to make glue for their tools and weapons, showcasing their advanced engineering skills.
The Neanderthals had a sophisticated setup in the form of a carefully designed hearth to control the fire and regulate the temperature needed to produce the glue. This structure revealed a previously unknown method of managing and using fire by our ancient relatives.
Inside the hearth, researchers found charcoal, partially burned rockrose, plant resin, and twigs. By analyzing these samples, they identified urea and zinc from guano, chemicals associated with burning, and remnants of protective wax from plant leaves. This evidence suggests that Neanderthals used a complex process involving heating rockrose leaves to distill tar or resin for hafting tools.
To replicate the Neanderthal’s glue-making process, researchers built a replica of the hearth and successfully produced enough resin to attach two stone points to spears. This experiment highlighted the precision and planning required by Neanderthals to create their glue factories. It also revealed that producing resin may have been a collaborative effort, indicating that Neanderthals were not only skilled engineers but also adept at working together.
The study sheds new light on the technological capabilities of Neanderthals and challenges previous assumptions about their intelligence and resourcefulness. This discovery underscores the importance of recognizing the ingenuity of our ancient ancestors and their ability to adapt to their environment.
The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the innovative methods employed by Neanderthals to create essential tools for survival. By understanding the complexity of their glue-making process, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intelligence and skills of Neanderthals, paving the way for further research and exploration into our shared human history.
