According to Science Alert, scientists from the University of Tübingen, the State Museum of Prehistory Halle (Germany), and the University of Strasbourg (France) have conducted complex chemical analyses on Neanderthal artifacts to decode one of the most controversial mysteries.
A series of shocking archaeological findings reveal that a now-extinct human species mastered the technique of producing tar.
These artifacts contain the presence of birch tar, which humanity has long believed to be a product developed only in the last few thousand years by modern humans, Homo sapiens.
Wax figure depicting Neanderthals – (Photo: NEANDERTHAL MUSEUM).
When the artifacts containing tar were first discovered, they sparked considerable debate, especially since it appeared they were used purposefully for adhesion, waterproofing, and antibacterial properties.
The previous common belief was that Neanderthals obtained tar accidentally by scraping it off while burning birch bark. However, new analyses have confirmed the presence of tar production sites underground.
The chemical composition of ancient birch tar indicates that it was oxygen-deprived during its formation—experiments suggest it could only be formed through the intentional burial of rolled birch bark with flame.
“The findings indicate that Neanderthal tar was not a random result of unintentional processes in outdoor fires, but rather a complex, carefully planned technique, as it cannot be monitored after the birch bark is buried,” the researchers stated in their publication in Archaeology and Anthropological Science.
A setup as complex as this would require a specific formula and plan, similar to how we produce synthetic materials in today’s industrial settings.
Graphic depicting Neanderthal tar kiln – (Photo: ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES).
These ancient artifacts also show that this extinct species not only invented but also improved techniques independently of Homo sapiens. It seems they were the ones who passed this technique to our ancestors, rather than the other way around.
With the first synthetic materials produced on Earth, along with abundant evidence of very early fiber weaving techniques, superior crafted jewelry, and well-organized cooking facilities, Neanderthals are increasingly demonstrating an astonishing level of development, potentially superior to ours.
| Neanderthals were a “sister species” to Homo sapiens, belonging to the genus Homo, which became extinct about 30,000 years ago and frequently interbred with our species, leaving traces in the DNA of many modern populations, especially in Northern Europe. |
