Neanderthalers gebruikten neushoorntanden als hamers voor steengereedschap

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and UNED Madrid have discovered that Neanderthals repurposed animal remains in innovative ways, extending their use of hunted creatures beyond consumption. An investigation into Neanderthal archaeological sites across Western Europe, particularly focusing on a substantial collection of rhinoceros teeth unearthed at Payre in France, revealed that these teeth served a practical purpose as hammering implements. The findings suggest that Neanderthals deliberately employed rhinoceros teeth to shape and refine stone tools, demonstrating a level of resourcefulness and tool-making sophistication previously underappreciated by scientists. This discovery adds another layer to our understanding of Neanderthal ingenuity and their ability to adapt materials from their environment for multiple functional purposes.