Handaxe design reveals distinct Neanderthal cultures
Monday, August 19, 2013 - 09:30
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Researchers have found that Neanderthals were more culturally complex than previously acknowledged. Two cultural traditions existed among Neanderthals living in what is now northern Europe between 115,000 to 35,000 years ago. Researchers examined the design of 1,300 stone tools originating from 80 Neanderthal sites in five European countries; France, Germany, Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands. They uncovered new evidence that two separate handaxe traditions or designs existed - one in a region now spanning south-western France and Britain - the other in Germany and further to the East.