The oldest divers: Scientists have figured out why Neanderthals dived to great depths

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Can you imagine a Neanderthal in something like a swimming trunks or a swimsuit? This is unlikely, but the fact that the ancient upright inhabitants of our planet swam in the sea, and not just swam, but dived to great depths, scientists have definitely established. The researchers concluded that the Neanderthals, who once lived on the Mediterranean coast in the area of modern Italy, could well collect shells from the bottom, like real divers.

The amazing finds have been made in the Dei Moscherini Grotto, a picturesque cave just 10 feet above one of the beaches in the Latium region of central Italy.

To begin with, back in 1949, archaeologists working at this site unearthed unusual artifacts - dozens of sea shells belonging to the local species Callista chione (smooth clam), which, as scientists established, 90,000 years ago were picked up by Neanderthals on the coast … Ancient people used them as sharp tools.

Using stone hammers, Neanderthals split shells to obtain cutting edges that, I must say, may not grind for a long time.

Now the team, led by Paola Villa of the University of Colorado (Boulder), has revealed new secrets of these 70-year-old discoveries. In a study published in the journal Plos One, Paola and her colleagues reported sensational findings: Neanderthals weren't just collecting shells that lay on the shore. Apparently, they had to hold their breath and dive into the sea in search of perfect shells.

Paola believes that the life of the Neanderthals was very closely connected with the sea (which was not previously considered by scientists) - in other words, they swam freely under water.

“The fact that Neanderthals actively used seafood in their lives was known before, but until recently no one delved into this topic - they simply did not pay attention to this fact,” Willa says.

When archaeologists first discovered shell tools in the grotto of Dei Moscherini, this itself came as a surprise to them. Science has long known that Neanderthals made spearheads from stone, but there are few examples of them turning seashells into tools.

Assuming that it was unlikely that the Neanderthals collected all these shells, just walking along the coast, researcher Will and her colleagues carefully studied these primitive tools found many years ago. It turned out that almost three quarters of the shellfish items had an opaque and slightly worn surface, as if they had been sanded over time.

- This is the kind of shells thrown onto the sandy beach by waves, as you know. So they were gathered on the shore, - says Paola.

The rest of the shells were larger and had a shiny smooth surface. And these molluscs, according to the researchers, were collected directly from the bottom of the sea while still alive. And although the Neanderthals, of course, did not have any equipment for scuba diving, Willa believes that they collected shells at a depth of 2-4 meters. And she has grounds for such conclusions.

The fact is that in an earlier study, a group of scientists led by anthropologist Eric Trinkaus discovered bony growths on the ears of several Neanderthal skeletons. In modern people, this anatomical feature is usually called the "swimmer's ear", since it is characteristic of those who are engaged in water sports.

“It seems that when it came to survival, Neanderthals were flexible in their thinking and were able to act creatively - just like us modern humans. And this is in stark contrast to our view of Neanderthals as rough cave creatures who lived by the hunt, says the researcher.

- Gradually comes the understanding that the Neanderthals not only hunted large mammals, but also engaged in freshwater fishing and even scuba diving! Says Paola.

Note that among the co-authors of the new study are employees of the French National Center for Scientific Research, the University of Geneva, as well as three leading Italian universities.

And here's another 10 discoveries that lift the veil of mystery over Neanderthals