Abric Romaní findings reveal advanced Neanderthal woodworking

Archaeological findings at the Abric Romaní rock shelter near Barcelona, Spain, reveal that Neanderthals possessed advanced woodworking skills. A study published in Science Advances analyzed 597 wooden specimens dating between 40,000 and 62,000 years ago, challenging the long-held view that Neanderthal technology was primarily stone-based.

The preservation of these organic materials was made possible by a geological phenomenon where calcium-rich water coated the wood, forming travertine molds that captured biological details even after the original wood decayed. Researchers identified 13 specifically modified objects, including two large spears (measuring 2.45 meters and 1.99 meters), a club, structural poles for shelters, digging sticks, and charred bark trays or containers.

Led by researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA), the study provides unprecedented insight into the daily lives and technical versatility of Neanderthals, demonstrating that wood was a fundamental resource for their tools, weapons, and domestic items.