Uncovering Neanderthal Skills
Researchers from the University of Wollongong have made a groundbreaking discovery about Neanderthal stone knapping. They have experimentally shown that the angle of the hammer strike plays a crucial role in determining how stone flakes fracture. This research sheds light on the sophisticated techniques used by Neanderthals when crafting tools.
This study highlights not just the physical skills of Neanderthals but also their cognitive abilities. By adjusting the hammer’s striking angle, these early humans could control the shape and quality of the tools they produced. Such findings challenge the perception of Neanderthals as primitive beings and showcase their complex understanding of material properties.
