Researchers in Spain have discovered evidence suggesting that Neanderthals created art, challenging the notion that such creativity was exclusive to modern humans. The artifact in question is a quartz-rich granite pebble, excavated from a rock shelter in central Spain and dated between 42,000 and 43,000 years old. The pebble, measuring over 8 inches in length, features curves and indentations resembling a human face with a single red dot located where a nose would be. This red dot, determined to be made of ochre, was applied intentionally with a finger, as verified by forensic analysis.
Lead author David Álvarez-Alonso posits that the Neanderthal, likely an adult male, may have perceived the pebble’s shape as a face, prompting the act of decorating it—a phenomenon known as pareidolia. This act is viewed as a simple yet profound example of symbolism, making it one of the oldest known abstractions of a human face in prehistoric context. The discovery, noted as particularly significant, is also the most complete Neanderthal fingerprint found to date, apart from a previous partial one in Germany.
While Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago, they coexisted with early modern humans in various regions. Although some researchers argue that the remains of Neanderthals do not indicate lower intelligence than that of Homo sapiens, Álvarez-Alonso emphasizes that this pebble is an isolated artifact with no known comparatives. He cautions against drawing direct analogies between Neanderthals and modern humans, recognizing that while the pebble signifies potential symbolic thought, it does not equate to the complex visual symbolic systems developed by Homo sapiens.
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