Two-Decade Research Confirms: Intelligence Level of Neanderthals Comparable to Homo Sapiens

A representation of Neanderthals crafted by Brother Kennis is showcased at the Neanderthal Museum. Image Credit: Neanderthal Museum

Neanderthals exhibited the ability to manage fire and employ it for culinary purposes. Insights into their dietary preferences and lifestyle have been gleaned from residues discovered near fireplaces. Angelucci: “Rather than referring to them as disparate species, it’s more accurate to describe them as varying forms of humans.”

The capability of Neanderthals to ignite and utilize fire for purposes such as cooking is indicative of their intelligence.

Data from a twenty-year-long archaeological dig in Portugal substantiates that Neanderthals adeptly manipulated fire, displaying competencies analogous to those of subsequent Homo Sapiens.

“This validation aligns with our earlier analyses and hypotheses,” elucidates Diego Angelucci, an archaeologist at the University of Trento and co-contributor to the research. “Neanderthals possessed the faculty for symbolic reasoning, were adept at crafting artistic items, adorned themselves with personal ornaments, and had a notably diverse diet. Based on these discoveries, it is unequivocal that they routinely consumed cooked meals, corroborating their equivalence in skills with later-occurring sapiens.”

So how did the scientific community conclude that Neanderthals could effectively utilize fire? “The consensus among archaeologists is clear: Neanderthals were proficient in fire use. Yet, there is a distinction between harnessing naturally-occurring fire, like that from lightning strikes, and the ability to generate, sustain, and apply it for various purposes including cooking, warmth, and protection. Our research establishes beyond doubt that Neanderthals were capable of creating fire, making it an integral component of their daily existence.”

Two Decades of In-depth Excavations

The study meticulously examines and contrasts the vestiges of intentionally-constructed fires located at the Gruta de Oliveira site in central Portugal, a preeminent European archaeological setting for Middle Palaeolithic research. Remarkably, this cave has been subject to precise and systematic excavations for an extensive period spanning from 1989 to 2012.

The endeavor was spearheaded by an international consortium of archaeologists, overseen by João Zilhão from the University of Lisbon, who co-authored the study along with Diego Angelucci (UniTrento) and Mariana Nabais (IPHES, Catalan Institute for Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution, Tarragona).

Gruta de Oliveira is a component of the Almonda karst system, an expansive labyrinth of caves situated above a large natural spring. These caves have been occupied during various epochs of prehistory. The oldest layers of Gruta de Oliveira date approximately 120,000 years back, while the most recent ones are around 40,000 years old; Neanderthals are believed to have resided here between 100,000 and 70,000 years ago.

Angelucci observes, “Almonda is a resource of perpetual discoveries, given the breadth and diversity of artifacts and remains we have uncovered over time, ranging from Lower Palaeolithic remains to Mousterian culture artifacts.”

Investigation of Hearths and Dietary Habits

Of particular interest to the research team were the intentional hearths built within the cave. The archaeologists unearthed around twelve hearths across various stratigraphic layers within an excavation zone measuring roughly 30 square meters and 6 meters in depth.

The distinct, basin-like, circular formations were filled with remnants. Artifacts from within and surrounding these hearths confirm that the cave’s inhabitants engaged in cooking: “Burnt bones, charred wood, and ash residues were discovered. The underlying rock has also been altered by heat,” Angelucci continues, “confirming the hearth’s original location. Fire was evidently a cornerstone in their daily routines, offering comfort and aiding in social interactions. It reaffirms the notion of ‘home,’ a concept that could be equally applicable to them.”

Diversity in Nutritional Choices

As for the Neanderthal diet, the researchers determined not only what types of food they consumed but also their cooking techniques. Remnants of cooked goats, deer, horses, aurochs (an extinct species of large wild cattle), rhinoceros, and turtles were discovered. These creatures were likely laid on their shells and slow-cooked on heated stones. Meat was a dietary staple in this inland cave, yet other excavations near the western Mediterranean Sea have yielded remains of fish, shellfish, and even roasted pine nuts. This complements findings from a 2020 paper in Science, substantiating the Neanderthals’ diverse culinary practices.

Although the archaeologists could not ascertain the specific methods employed by Neanderthals to ignite fire, it is conceivable that they utilized prehistoric techniques such as striking flint against other stones to create sparks, much like what has been deduced from studies of Ötzi, the Ice Man.

Through extensive layer excavations covering a 30,000-year span, archaeologists were also able to compare the data with that of sites from the Upper Palaeolithic era, where Homo Sapiens were confirmed inhabitants.

“No significant disparities were noted in the lifestyles within the caves. Their competencies further attest to their intelligence. They were not disparate species, but rather different manifestations of humanity,” concludes the study.

The Comprehensive Study

This research culminates an extensive data analysis phase that scrutinized three decades of archaeological findings. João Zilhão’s Portuguese team focused on the stone tools, Mariana Nabais worked on the bone remains and carried out spatial analyses, and the University of Trento’s research group specialized in stratigraphy and microscopic studies.

“Our approach leverages interdisciplinary archaeological methodologies, including rigorous on-site preliminary studies, meticulous excavations, precise placement of finds, and thorough sample collections for microscopic or laboratory analysis. This brand of archaeology employs state-of-the-art methodologies and necessitates significant time and resources, elements that we impart to our students,” the team stated.

Reference: “Formation processes, fire use, and patterns of human occupation across the Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 5a-5b) of Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal)” by Diego E. Angelucci, Mariana Nabais, and João Zilhão, published on 11 October 2023, in PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292075

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More about Neanderthal Intelligence

• PLOS ONE Journal Article
• University of Lisbon Archaeology Department
• University of Trento Department of Humanities
• IPHES, Catalan Institute for Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution
• Introduction to the Almonda Karst System
• Middle Palaeolithic Period Overview
• Understanding Neanderthal Intelligence
• Fire Use in Prehistoric Times
• Ötzi, the Ice Man and Prehistoric Fire-Making Techniques