New evidence exposes the myth about the naive Netherectan people

Research conducted by British and American scientists has countered the theory that the Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are extinct because they are less intelligent than our ancestors (Homo sapiens). The team demonstrated that the first stone tools invented by our ancestors were no more effective than the Neanderthals.

Published in Human Evolution, their discovery exposed the belief in books developed by archaeologists over the past 60 years.

The team at the University of Exeter, Southern Methodist University, Texas State University and Think Computer Company spent three years building stone tools. They have reproduced some tools called 'scales' (the tool is more widely used by both Nacodectans and Homo sapiens) and 'tongues' (the less commonly used tool later adopted by Homo sapiens). ). Archaeologists often rely on the development of stone blades along with its effectiveness as evidence for the superior intelligence of Homo sapiens. To corroborate this, the team analyzed data to match the number of tools produced, how many sharp blades were produced, effective in handling raw materials along with the tool time. use.

The tongue tool was first created by Homo sapiens during the invasion of Europe from Africa about 40,000 years ago. This event, which is considered an impressive technological advance, makes Homo sapiens outstanding, eventually eliminating their Stone Age relatives. But when the data analysis team did not find any statistical difference between the effectiveness of the two tools. In fact, they found that in some respects the scales were favored by the Neanderthals more effectively than the tongue tools of Homo sapiens.

The new study proves that the first stone tools invented by our ancestors were no more effective than the Neanderthal tools (pictured).(Photo: iStockphoto / Klaus Nilkens)

The Neandectans are thought to belong to a different branch than the Homo sapiens, they evolved in Europe during the Ice Age while Homo sapiens evolved in Africa before spreading to the rest of the world around 50,000 to 40,000 years ago.The Neanderthals were thought to be extinct about 28,000 years ago, suggesting that at least 10,000 years of existence and interaction between the two species in Europe.

Many long-held beliefs that the Neanderthals have become extinct in recent years. Research has shown that Norse people are as good at hunting as Homo sapiens and have no disadvantage in their ability to communicate. Currently, the latest discovery adds to the evidence that Norseites are no less intelligent than our ancestors. Metin Eren, an University of Exeter experimental archeology student and lead author of the study, remarked: 'Our research countered the long-standing assumption that Homo sapiens are more advanced than the Nandertans. The time has come for archaeologists to study other reasons to explain why the Neanderthals became extinct while our ancestors survived. Technically, there is no better tool than any other tool. When we think of the Neanderthals, we need to stop thinking about 'less smart,' not advanced 'or anything else to deduce the difference with Homo sapiens'.

Now that the blade tool does not bring any technical advantage, why did Homo sapiens use this tool during the time of invading Europe? Researchers believe that the reason for the transition may be cultural or iconic. Eren explains: 'Occupying a continent is not an easy thing. The invasion of the continent in the Ice Age was even more difficult. So for the ancient Homo sapiens when they invaded Europe in the Ice Age, the glamorous shared tool then acted as a kind of social glue that helped connect larger social networks together. . During difficult times, depleting resources, larger social networks acted as a 'life insurance contract', ensuring the exchange between members in the same group '. .

Exeter University is the only university in the world to have an Experimental Archeology course. This archaeological series focuses on understanding how people live in the past by recreating their activities and techniques. Eren said: 'Spending 3 years in the laboratory learning how to build tools has helped us accurately reproduce the tools to get our findings' . The research was funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Exeter Graduation Fund.

Refer:
Metin I. Eren, Aaron Greenspan, C. Garth Sampson.Are Upper Paleolithic blade more useful than discoidal Middle Paleolithic coal?A replication experiment.Sheet Human Evolution, published online August 26, 2008