Archaeologists in Catalonia, Spain, have uncovered wooden artifacts at the Abric Romaní site dating back between 40,000 and 62,000 years. These finds reveal that Neanderthals practiced advanced carpentry, selecting specific tree species for different tools.
Juniper bark and Scots pine: The botanical logic of Abric Romaní
The discovery at the Abric Romaní site challenges the long-standing narrative that Neanderthals relied almost exclusively on stone tools. According to the report, these ancient humans demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of botanical properties by matching specific wood species to the intended functon of a tool. For instance, Neanderthals utilized the flexible bark of the juniper tree to create lightweight trays for transporting materials.
For more demanding tasks, the inhabitants of the Cinglera del Capelló cliffs selected Scots pine. as the report says, this wood was chosen for its durability and resistance to wear, making it ideal for the construction of spears and clubs. this selective process indicates a level of cognitive planning and environmental knowledge that suggests Neanderthals were far more resourceful than previously credited.
Travertine incrustation and the miracle of 60,000-year-old casts
Organic materials typically vanish from the archaeological record, but the unique geology of the Abric Romaní site in Spain preserved these artifacts through two rare processes. The first was carbonization, which charred the wood and prevented rot. The second was travertine incrustation, a process where calcium carbonate from the surrounding limestone cliffs seeped into the site and formed a mineral shell around the wood.
These mineral shells created precise negative impressions of the wooden tools. Because these casts are so detialed, researchers can observe the cellular structures of the original wood and the specific marks left by the tools used to shape them. This geological fluke provides a rare glimpse into the material culture of the Middle Palaeolithic period that is almost entirely missing from other sites.
From 16-foot beams to the carved wooden club
Among the thirteen identified objects at Abric Romaní, the scale and complexity of the finds are particularly striking. Researchers uncovered a massive tree trunk exceeding 16 feet in length that had been stripped of its branches, suggesting it served as a primary structural beam for a shelter or resting area. Additionally, three sticks longer than one meter were found,which likely formed a tripod used for food processing.
The most technically advanced item is a wooden club carved from a single piece of wood, featuring a distinct handle and head. This object, along with pointed sticks used for hunting deer and horsses or fishing, demonstrates a transition from opportunistic tool use to active carpentry. The ability to strip, shape, and engineer wood into specific forms marks a significant evolutionary milestone.
Bridging the cognitive gap between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens
The evidence of woodworking at Abric Romaní places Neanderthal technology in a new evolutionary light.. While non-human primates, such as chimpanzees, use basic sticks for simple tasks, the carpentry found in Catalonia represents a leap in complexity. By creating furniture and structural supports, Neanderthals improved their quality of life and adapted more effectively to their environment.
This versatility suggests that the intellectual and technical gap between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens was much narrower than previously assumed.. The ability to organize living spaces for efficiency and manufacture specialized weaponry indicates a species that was innovative and technically skilled, rather than a primitive precursor to modern humans.
The missing pieces of the 13 identified objects
While the thirteen objects found at Abric Romaní provide a breakthrough, several questions remain. The source reports on a specific collection of finds, but it remains unclear if this level of carpentry was a widespread Neanderthal trait or a localized innovation unique to the Catalonia region. Furthermore, because the report focuses on the preserved casts and charred remains, it is unknown how many other types of wooden structures existed that did not benefit from the rare travertine incrustation process.
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