Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in the middle of the average Paleolithic not only coexisted, but also actively interacted, exchanging technologies, lifestyle and funeral. This interaction contributed to cultural exchange, social complexity and behavioral innovation, such as the official practice of burial and the symbolic use of ocher for decoration.
This is evidenced by the results of a study by scientists from Jewish University in Jerusalem, which studied the Tinchemet cave in Central Israel, an area that was an important “intersection” in the early history of mankind, reports Eurekalert.
Our data show that human relations and the interaction between population groups were a fundamental basis for cultural and technological innovations throughout history, scientists emphasize.
It is noted that in this cave, known for its rich archaeological and anthropological results, several people’s burial grounds were discovered – the first burial of the average Paleolithic period, dug up over the past fifty years.
This study … provides convincing evidence that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in this region not only coexisted, but also had common aspects of everyday life, technology and burial customs, the article says. – These conclusions emphasize the complexity of their relationship and hint at a closer relationship than this was previously considered.
Researchers, combining data from four key industries – the production of stone tools, hunting strategies, symbolic behavior and social complexity – came to the conclusion that various groups of people, including Neanderthals, Donnanderthals and Homo sapiens, participated in significant relations.
These exchanges contributed to the transfer of knowledge and led to the gradual cultural homogenization of the population, the article says.
Scientists suggest that these interactions stimulated social complexity and behavioral innovations. For example, about 110,000 years ago, for the first time in the world, official burial customs began to appear in the world, probably as a result of the intensification of social interactions.
It is noted that these discoveries raise intriguing questions about the role of Tinchemet cave in society at that time:
- If it was a special place for burial or even a cemetery, this indicates the presence of common rituals and strong communities;
- The placement of important artifacts – stone instruments, animal bones and pieces of ocher – in pits for burial can also indicate early beliefs in the other world.
Source: Eurekalert
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.