Ancient string discovery sheds light on Neanderthal life

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The discovery of the oldest known direct evidence of fibre technology using natural fibres to create yarn is reported in Scientific Reports this week.

The finding furthers our understanding of the cognitive abilities of Neanderthals during the Middle Palaeolithic period (30,000-300,000 years ago).

The authors speculate that the cord was wrapped around the tool as a handle or was part of a net or bag containing the tool. They date the cord fragment, which they discovered in Abri du Maras, France, to between 41,000-52,000 years ago.

Using spectroscopy and microscopy, they identified that the cord likely consists of fibres taken from the inner bark of a non-flowering tree such as a conifer.

Based on this, researchers even speculate Neanderthal people even had some kind of rudimentar understanding of the matematical concepts and basic numbering skills.

Source: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/04/archaeology-ancient-string-discovery-sheds-light-on-neanderthal-life/127432