Neandertals were known for their use of fire in various ways, from heating and cooking to crafting tools with tar as an adhesive. However, a recent study published in Quaternary Science Reviews sheds light on a new discovery – Neandertals may have actually designed specialized fire structures to produce tar itself.
The study, led by botanist Juan Ochando Tomás from the University of Murcia in Spain, focused on a sea cave in Gibraltar where evidence of a Neandertal-made hearth was found. This hearth, dating back to around 65,000 years ago, contained charcoal, pollen, and chemical compounds that pointed to the burning of resinous plant material, as well as yellow crystals believed to be tar. The tar was likely made from the resin of gum rockrose, a plant native to the shrubland nearby.
To confirm their findings, the researchers recreated the structure by filling a hole with rockroses, sealing it with sand and soil, and setting a fire on top to steam the plants. After several attempts, they successfully produced enough tar to make two spears from flint and olive wood.
This discovery challenges previous notions about Neandertals’ use of fire, as the structure found in the cave was more complex than typical Neandertal hearths from that time period. Archaeologist Andrew Sorensen, who was not involved in the study, noted that this finding suggests Neandertals were capable of using more advanced methods to produce tar, adding another adhesive to the list of materials they used for tool-making.
Sorensen also expressed curiosity about whether residues of rockrose tar could be found on stone tools at the site, matching the physical and chemical signatures of the tar produced in the recreated structure. This would further validate the study’s conclusions and provide more insight into the capabilities of Neandertals when it came to tool production.
Overall, this study highlights the ingenuity of Neandertals when it came to utilizing fire for various purposes, including the production of tar for tool-making. It opens up new possibilities for understanding the technological advancements of our ancient cousins and their resourcefulness in utilizing natural materials for their needs.
