The archaeological site of Abric Pizarro in Lleida, Spain, has revealed surprising information about Neanderthal behavior, challenging our previous understanding of these ancient humans. Located in the foothills of the southern Pyrenees, this unexplored area is shedding light on a little-known period of Neanderthal history and may help solve the mystery of their eventual disappearance.

Abric Pizarro is one of the few sites in the world dating back to 100,000 to 65,000 years ago, during a period called MIS 4. Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) have discovered hundreds of thousands of artifacts, including stone tools, animal bones, and other evidence that provides significant data about Neanderthal life during this time.

The findings show that Neanderthals were highly adaptable to their environment, challenging the stereotype of slow-moving cavemen. Dr. Sofia Samper Carro, the lead author and archaeologist from ANU, explains that Neanderthals knew how to exploit their surroundings and were resilient in harsh climatic conditions.

A) General view Abric Pizarro rockshelter; B) Map of the area of study with nearby archaeological sites; C) Lithostratigraphic column of Abric Pizarro with approximated location of samples taken for OSL and U-Th new ages. D) Photograph of the west section of the deposit, with vertical distribution of the archaeological units identified superimposed.
A) General view Abric Pizarro rockshelter; B) Map of the area of study with nearby archaeological sites; C) Lithostratigraphic column of Abric Pizarro with approximated location of samples taken for OSL and U-Th new ages. D) Photograph of the west section of the deposit, with vertical distribution of the archaeological units identified superimposed. Credit: Sofia Samper-Carro et al.

One of the most surprising discoveries is the variety in Neanderthal diet. The animal bones found at the site indicate that they successfully hunted red deer, horses, and bison, but also consumed freshwater turtles and rabbits.

This suggests a level of planning and adaptability not previously associated with Neanderthals. The well-preserved bones show cut marks, providing direct evidence of their ability to hunt and process both large and small animals.

The stone artifacts found at the site demonstrate variability in the types of tools produced, indicating the Neanderthals’ capacity to exploit available resources in the area. This challenges the widespread belief that Neanderthals only hunted large animals like horses and rhinoceroses.

Dr Sofia Samper Carro
Dr Sofia Samper Carro. Credit: Jamie Kidston / ANU

Abric Pizarro offers a unique glimpse into Neanderthal behavior in a landscape they had been traversing for hundreds of thousands of years. This site is particularly important because it provides information about how Neanderthals lived when modern humans had not yet arrived in the area.

The research shows that Neanderthals were thriving in Europe for nearly 300,000 years before suddenly disappearing around 40,000 years ago, coinciding with the appearance of modern humans in the region.

The excavation techniques used at Abric Pizarro and nearby Neanderthal sites provide exceptionally precise data. Researchers use 3D plotting for each remain found larger than one to two centimeters. This meticulous approach, although time-consuming, results in an extremely accurate record of the sites.

Photograph showing the location where the pollen samples were collected from (white rectangles) and the correlation with the archaeological units identified and sterile (i.e. no cultural material recovered) phases.
Photograph showing the location where the pollen samples were collected from (white rectangles) and the correlation with the archaeological units identified and sterile (i.e. no cultural material recovered) phases. Credit: Sofia Samper-Carro et al.

The team is interested in how different data relate to each other, from stone tools to bones and hearths. This detailed excavation provides archaeologists with information about how Neanderthals lived and how long they stayed in an area.

The research team, which includes scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (CEPAP-UAB), is not only interested in individual materials but also in their exact location relative to other materials at the site. This helps them understand how and when Neanderthals visited these sites and whether they were settled there or just passing through.

This groundbreaking research in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia. By shedding light on this crucial transition period, archaeologists are getting closer to solving the decades-old mystery of what led to the Neanderthals’ extinction and gaining a deeper understanding of our ancient relatives’ capabilities and way of life.

SOURCES

Australian National University

Sofia C. Samper Carro, Susana Vega Bolívar, et al., Living on the edge: Abric Pizarro, a MIS 4 Neanderthal site in the lowermost foothills of the southeastern Pre-Pyrenees (Lleida, Iberian Peninsula). Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 169, September 2024, 106038. doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2024.106038

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