Ancient Fingerprint Reveals Neanderthal's Artistic Side

A small red mark on a rock in Spain has sparked a lively debate among experts. This mark, which is about 43, 000 years old, is believed to be the oldest known human fingerprint. It was made by a Neanderthal using the red mineral ocher. This discovery challenges the common belief that Neanderthals were not capable of creating symbolic art. The rock, which looks like a face with the red dot as a "nose, " was found in the San Lázaro rock shelter near Segovia, Spain. This area was heavily populated by Neanderthals between 44, 000 and 41, 000 years ago. The rock itself is about 6 inches long and has natural indentations that resemble eyebrows. The red dot, which was intentionally added, makes the rock look more like a human face. This suggests that the Neanderthal who made the mark was capable of symbolic thought. The fingerprint was left by an adult male Neanderthal, as revealed by forensic examinations. The rock was likely brought to the shelter from a nearby river, indicating that it was chosen for its appearance and then marked with ocher. This shows that Neanderthals had the ability to symbolize and project their thoughts onto objects. However, not all experts agree that the red dot is symbolic. Some argue that while the mark was deliberate, its meaning is unclear. The debate about whether Neanderthals created abstract art has been ongoing for decades. While there are examples of Neanderthal engravings on cave walls in France, these are not as elaborate as the cave paintings made by early modern humans. The red dot on the rock adds to the growing evidence of Neanderthal use of red pigment and their ability to create non-functional objects. This find is significant because it shows that Neanderthals were more than just survivalists; they had a capacity for creativity and symbolic thinking. The debate continues as to whether the red dot is truly symbolic or just a mark left by a Neanderthal. Some experts argue that the rock only looks like a face when the "nose" mark is added, suggesting that its meaning may be subjective. Others point out that the red dot could represent something else entirely, such as a navel on a human figure. Regardless of its meaning, the red dot on the rock provides valuable insights into the cognitive abilities of Neanderthals. It shows that they were capable of deliberate and symbolic behavior, challenging the idea that they were less intelligent than early modern humans. This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence that Neanderthals were more complex and creative than previously thought.