Neanderthal Potentially Recognized a Facial Depiction on a Stone 43,000 Years Ago, Leaving a Possible Fingerprint
Archaeologists in Segovia, Spain, have unearthed a 43,000-year-old rock that may offer insights into Neanderthal artistic expression. The hand-sized, naturally-occurring stone bears an ochre-based impression resembling a human nose, leading researchers to consider it as the world's oldest complete human fingerprint.
David Álvarez Alonso, an archaeologist at Complutense University in Madrid, stated that the team was immediately struck by the stone's appearance. "We all thought the same thing, looking at each other – it looked like a face," he told The Guardian.
Over a period of three years, the researchers studied this unusual artifact. They propose that a Neanderthal dipped their finger in ochre and pressed it onto the stone's central ridge, leaving behind the fingerprint. Although some experts are uncertain about the hypothesis, the team's findings were recently published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.
According to the paper, the placement of the ochre dot, or nose, suggests it is evidence of Neanderthals' symbolic behavior. Researchers believe this could represent one of the earliest human face symbolizations in prehistory.
Co-author María de Andrés-Herrero, a professor of prehistory at Complutense University, noted that while the debate over Neanderthal artistic expression continues, a growing body of evidence supports the idea that artistic expression emerged earlier in human evolution than previously thought.
To support their conclusions, the researchers generated a 3D model of the stone's surface and measured the distances between its features. Their analysis revealed that the red dot, or nose, was placed with accuracy to resemble an actual human nose. Further analysis using multispectral imaging and forensic techniques allowed them to identify a potential Neanderthal fingerprint within the dot.
Gilliane Monnier, a professor of anthropology at the University of Minnesota, has expressed skepticism about the researchers' findings. She questions whether the natural depressions in the stone and the placement of the ochre dot provide sufficient evidence to suggest that Neanderthals saw a face in the rock. Additionally, she doubts the claim that the red dot was made with a human fingertip.
The researchers acknowledge that more evidence is needed to confirm their hypothesis and invite further investigation to clarify our understanding of Neanderthals' cognitive and artistic abilities. If proven, this discovery could expand our perception of the early human capacity for symbolic representations and artistic expression.
- In the realm of AI and computer science, this stone's discovery could potentially inspire new algorithms to detect and analyze ancient artifacts, adding a fascinating intersection between archaeology and technology.
- The education and self-development sector could benefit from incorporating this finding into curriculums, fostering a deeper understanding of human evolution and symbolic behavior among students.
- General news outlets might write articles on the implications of this discovery on modern lifestyle, exploring how our ancestors' artistic expression can influence contemporary artistic movements and societal norms.
- Space-and-astronomy enthusiasts might interpret this finding as a metaphor for celestial bodies, reflecting on the symbolic representation of astronomical objects in early human cultures.
- In the entertainment industry, screenwriters could draw inspiration from this stone for creating stories or characters that delve into the mysteries of Neanderthal creative capacities, further sparking public interest in prehistory.
