Neandertals displayed advanced social and hunting skills as early as 200,000 years ago, particularly evidenced by their organized hunting parties that drove wild horses into lethal traps. Recent studies focused on the Schöningen site in Germany have yielded remarkable findings, including wooden spears, double-pointed sticks, stone tools, and butchered remains of over 50 horses, which were previously thought to be about 300,000 years old but are now dated to approximately 200,000 years ago. This timing aligns with the Neandertals’ occupation of Europe, suggesting they had developed sophisticated techniques for hunting and an understanding of equine behavior that allowed them to coordinate efforts to guide herds into ambush areas.
The new dating of the Schöningen artifacts, reported on May 9 in Science Advances, has important implications for our understanding of Neandertal social dynamics. Historically, researchers linked the earlier date to climate-related pollen studies, which suggested that more primitive hominin species, like Homo heidelbergensis, might have engaged in hunting. The reassessment of the artifacts resulted from analyzing the chemical changes in various shell and tooth specimens found at the site, factoring in climate and pollen data to arrive at the more recent timeline. This suggests that Neandertals were not simply opportunistic hunters but rather skilled strategists adept at executing complex communal hunts.
Upon re-evaluation, scholars like zooarchaeologist Jarod Hutson indicate that the new age estimation allows for a clearer picture of Neandertal life and social organization, positing them on a behavioral par with early Homo sapiens. This assertion is reinforced by dating discoveries across multiple European sites, which highlight the communal aspect of Neandertal hunting. Evidence from sites ranging from 57,000 to 130,000 years old reveals that Neandertals orchestrated group hunts targeting large animals like bison, reindeer, and wild cattle, showcasing their ability to work collectively for survival.
Previous research had largely underestimated the cognitive and social capabilities of Neandertals, framing them as solitary figures rather than cooperative hunters. Contrary to long-held beliefs, the new findings propose that Neandertals were not just physically adept but also intellectually nuanced, forming complex social structures that supported more sophisticated hunting strategies. This challenges the narrative of a linear evolution of social behavior, positioning Neandertals as contemporaries to early humans regarding social cooperation and strategy.
Animal remains at Schöningen also indicate infants and young horses were targeted, which may suggest a more intricate understanding of herd dynamics and constituent care within hunting practices. This strategic choice likely enhances the implications of their social structure, suggesting more than mere survival tactics; it hints at deeper cultural practices that involved risk assessment and group roles within the hunting community.
In conclusion, the reevaluation of the artifacts and remains from Schöningen paints an enriched picture of Neandertal life, emphasizing their collaborative efforts in hunting. This revised understanding not only enhances our perception of Neandertals as skilled hunters and social beings but also reflects a broader narrative of human ancestry, positing that the cognitive abilities attributed to modern humans were shared across closely related species. This shift in perspective encourages further exploration into the social interactions and cultural constructs of Neandertals, laying the groundwork for future discourse on early human behavior and evolution.
