Did Neanderthal men wear queues?

2002/01/21 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Paleontologia
• Giza zientziak
• Arkeologia

In the north of the German Harz, this fossil, which is located near Königsau, in addition to its viscous fingerprint, has the imprint of a rock that, according to researchers, has more than 80,000 years of age (Neanderthal men lived between 300,000 and 30,000 years ago).

According to German archaeologists in charge of the study, Neanderthal humans burned birch to make a sustainable adhesive. Thus, in the wooden handle they could stick the stone head. But if it is shown that they had the capacity to do so, it would be confirmed that first they had the skill and technical knowledge of Homo sapiens.

The hypothesis has sparked debate and some say that Neanderthal humans copied this technique to the Homo sapiens. However, there are still doubts about dating, so deepening the analysis can provide data that clarify the debate.