Neanderthals: The First Fossil Collectors?
Evidence from Prado Vargas Cave Redefines Neanderthal Cognitive Sophistication
A groundbreaking discovery1 from Prado Vargas Cave in northern Spain is reshaping perceptions of Neanderthals, highlighting their advanced cognitive and cultural practices. A collection of 15 marine fossils, deliberately transported to the cave over 39,800 to 54,600 years ago, reveals that Neanderthals may have been the first fossil collectors in human evolutionary history. These findings challenge outdated stereotypes of Neanderthals and underscore their capacity for symbolic thought and appreciation of nature.
Fossils in a Mousterian Context
The Findings at Prado Vargas Cave
In the Mousterian Level 4 of Prado Vargas Cave, researchers uncovered 15 marine fossils, including species such as Tylostoma, Granocardium productum, and Pholadomya gigantea. While one fossil showed signs of use as a hammerstone, the rest bore no evidence of utilitarian modification, ornamentation, or practical application. These fossils, some transported from over 30 kilometers away, were intentionally brought into the cave—a behavior requiring significant effort and intent.
“Carrying these fossils to the cave was deliberate, systematic, and reiterated, showcasing Neanderthals’ interest and effort in collecting,” stated Alfonso Benito Calvo, geologist at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH).
Possible Motivations for Collecting
The purpose behind these collections remains speculative, but researchers have proposed several possibilities, including aesthetic appreciation, symbolic representation, and social functions such as gift-giving or reinforcing group identity.
“These fossils can be understood as evidence of an artistic interest or an attraction or curiosity for the forms of nature,” the study noted.
Interestingly, parallels can be drawn with modern human behavior. Studies suggest that collecting non-utilitarian objects often begins in childhood, driven by wonder and exploration. The remains of Neanderthal children found in the cave suggest that they may have participated in this activity, adding a social and educational dimension to these collections.
Neanderthals as Cognitive Equals
Beyond Practical Survival
The discovery of the fossil collection aligns with other evidence of Neanderthal behavioral complexity. Archaeological sites across Europe have revealed Neanderthal practices such as:
Decorative Use of Materials: Bird feathers, claws, and perforated shells were likely used as ornaments.
Symbolic Arrangements: Animal skulls and horns were deliberately placed in ways suggesting ritual significance.
Advanced Tool Use and Burial Practices: Neanderthals cared for their sick and elderly, buried their dead, and created early forms of art.
At Prado Vargas, the sheer size of the fossil collection—15 items compared to the usual one or two found at similar sites—further emphasizes the systematic nature of this behavior.
“The findings from Prado Vargas Cave demonstrate Neanderthals’ ability to think abstractly and recognize the aesthetic and symbolic value of natural objects,” explained lead researcher Marta Navazo Ruiz from the Universidad de Burgos.
Redefining Neanderthal Intelligence
A Broader Understanding of Symbolism
The Prado Vargas discovery adds to the growing body of evidence that Neanderthals were not cognitively inferior to Homo sapiens. Instead, they displayed a deep appreciation for the natural world and engaged in complex social and cultural behaviors.
While Neanderthals went extinct approximately 40,000 years ago, their legacy endures not only in the traces of their DNA found in modern humans but also in the archaeological record that highlights their creativity, adaptability, and intelligence.
“They have become the earliest fossil collectors known in our evolutionary history,” Benito Calvo emphasized.
Conclusion
The fossil collection at Prado Vargas Cave provides a fascinating glimpse into the minds of Neanderthals, revealing behaviors that go beyond survival and delve into the realms of art, symbolism, and cultural identity. These findings challenge outdated narratives and underscore the rich cognitive and cultural life of our closest extinct relatives. As researchers continue to uncover more about Neanderthal behavior, their story becomes an essential chapter in the broader narrative of human evolution.
Navazo Ruiz, M., Benito-Calvo, A., Lozano-Francisco, M. C., Alonso Alcalde, R., Alonso García, P., de la Fuente Juez, H., Santamaría Diez, M., & Cristóbal Cubillo, P. (2024). Were Neanderthals the first collectors? First evidence recovered in level 4 of the Prado Vargas Cave, Cornejo, Burgos and Spain. Quaternary, 7(4), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/quat7040049