For Neanderthals, the most advanced technology did not necessarily have to be metal or stone; It could have been a simple piece of sticky plant matter. Used to bind tools and even chewed for its health benefits, this wonderful glue played a very important role in daily life. Although it has long been known that Neanderthals relied on birch tar, the mystery of how they extracted and processed this valuable substance has remained unsolved to this day.

The forgotten pit of the Neanderthals

A remarkable study by researchers at the University of Seville provided the answers we were looking for. In Gibraltar’s Avangard Cave, researchers discovered a structure consistent with theories about how Neanderthals were able to obtain resinous tar by processing various plants. Although the modest structure looks like a simple pit, it has huge implications for what is supposed to be an oxygen-free heating chamber. Its simplicity meant that the pit’s potential significance was overlooked.

However, the discovery of this structure in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Göreme Cave Complex is fundamental to our understanding of ancient human activities. The preservation of the object is due to its rapid encapsulation by the dune.

Extraordinary cognitive abilities of Neanderthals

This discovery was not the work of one man. A team of 31 researchers from more than five countries and specializing in 15 different fields collaborated to determine that the structure indeed dates back 60,000 years to Neanderthal times. Fernando Muñiz of the University of Seville explains that Neanderthals were not the rude and cruel creatures they are often portrayed as. In fact, this discovery reaffirms that they demonstrated extraordinary cognitive abilities as they were able to use chemical processes to create a resinous adhesive for their tools.

How smart were Neanderthals?

Neanderthals were smarter than most people believe. They made complex tools using the Mousterian technique, showing that they could plan and execute complex tasks. These early humans hunted large game together, which suggests that they worked well as a team and communicated effectively.

They were also able to control fire, build strong shelters, and make clothing from animal skins to keep them warm in harsh climates. All of these actions demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. Neanderthals showed signs of creativity and social sophistication, as well as practical skills. They buried their dead, which may indicate a sense of ritual or respect for others. Some archaeological findings indicate that they created artistic or decorative products that indicate symbolic thought. Their brains were the same or larger than ours; This probably gave them the ability to use language and complex thinking.

Neanderthals were masters of technology

Creating this goo required a complex process, according to excavation leader Clive Finlayson. This involves selecting suitable plants and extracting the resin without burning it. The team developed methodologies and even completed archaeological surveys to confirm that Neanderthals built this structure. Evidence also suggests that the gum may have been extracted from the rosehip plant, a tree more common in Mediterranean latitudes during Neanderthal times.

This transformative project sets a precedent for understanding the technological prowess and organizational abilities of Neanderthals. The project, carried out under the leadership of the Gibraltar Museum, the University of Murcia, the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences and with the participation of the University of Seville, sheds new light on the life of Neanderthals.

Finding evidence of early art

In 2012, Finlayson’s team also discovered a unique hashtag-like mark on a piece of limestone. This simple but important engraving is considered by experts as evidence of early art. Neanderthals also collected feathers (especially black feathers) from various birds, possibly for decorative or ceremonial purposes.

Neanderthals had knowledge of medicinal plants and even buried their dead. Jewelry making and special tools were also part of the basket of innovations. According to Muñiz, they could communicate by sound and could have had a very high-pitched voice. As our understanding of these prehistoric people deepens, it becomes increasingly apparent that they were much more than they seemed. Thanks to their creativity, organization and skill, they were true masters of their primitive world.

An impressive legacy of innovation

The discovery of a glue pit in Gibraltar challenges our modern perception of innovation. While technology today is often associated with complexity, Neanderthals show that simplicity and creativity can coexist. Their ability to adapt natural resources to solve practical problems, such as binding devices to resinous extracts, underscores a deep understanding of materials science and environmental stewardship.

An early form of experimental conditions

Besides practicality, their actions reveal a deeper connection with the environment. Neanderthals demonstrated an early form of experiential learning, selecting specific plants and mastering the technique of controlled heating, allowing them to refine processes through observation and repetition.

This shows that they not only developed innovative methods, but also created the building blocks of technological heritage by transferring this knowledge to generations. This discovery also serves as a reminder of the fragility of human history. Structures such as tar pits are rare finds that survive only under exceptional circumstances. The rapid encapsulation of the area by dunes preserved a story that might otherwise have been lost over time.

Hidden beneath layers of sediment, these ancient innovations remind us of the resilience and ingenuity of our distant relatives and inspire us to look at innovation through a broader, more inclusive lens. The full text of the research was published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.