Decapitation of a child 850,000 years ago reveals new evidence of cannibalism at Atapuerca

A newly discovered human cervical vertebra from the Gran Dolina site in the Sierra de Atapuerca in Spain, which dates to 850,000 years ago, has provided new evidence of cannibalism among early humans. The child’s bone, aged between two and four years...

More information: https://archaeologymag.com/2025/07/decapitation-of-a-child-850000-years-ago-atapuerca/

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The Echo of a Hand Across Millennia: Decoding the Cave Hand Stencil 

Introduction

Imagine the dim glow of flickering firelight, casting dancing shadows on rough cave walls, thousands of years before history began. In the silence, broken only by the gentle breath of a painter, a hand presses against the cool, damp stone. A cloud of red ochre pigment fills the air, settling around the hand to leave a lasting imprint. This humble act resonates through time, speaking volumes across countless generations. The hand stencil, a ghostly echo from our distant ancestors, represents humanity’s earliest attempt at permanence—a poignant declaration: I was here. These timeless marks, etched in caves worldwide, whisper of identity, presence, and belonging, inviting us to imagine the lives, dreams, and stories of those who came before.

Creation and Technique

Creating a hand stencil required careful preparation and delicate execution. Artists mixed powdered ochre or manganese with binding agents such as animal fats or saliva, creating a vivid, lasting pigment. Hollow bone tubes, reeds, or even direct blowing through pursed lips were used to spray this mixture onto cave surfaces, leaving negative hand impressions as the pigment settled around the outstretched fingers and palm (Pike et al., 2012). Positive stencils, conversely, involved coating the hand directly with pigment and pressing firmly onto the rock. The skill and care in producing these artworks suggest the artists were respected community members entrusted with  preserving their group’s identity.

Geographical Distribution

The universality of hand stencils spans continents and millennia, connecting disparate groups through a shared expression of humanity: – El Castillo Cave, Spain (approximately 40,800 years old), where stencils offer a vivid glimpse into the artistic traditions of Europe’s earliest inhabitants (Pike et al., 2012). – Leang Timpuseng Cave, Indonesia (around 39,900 years old), highlighting the global reach of this simple yet profound gesture (Aubert et al., 2014). – Cueva de las Manos, Argentina (circa 11,000 to 7,500 BCE), bearing witness to the enduring legacy of hunter-gatherer communities (UNESCO, 1999). – Maltravieso Cave, Spain (66,700 years old, Neanderthal), pushing back the boundaries of our understanding of human creativity and symbolism (Hoffmann et al., 2018). 

Anthropological and Cognitive Significance

Hand stencils offer anthropologists a rare glimpse into the minds of early humans, revealing their cognitive sophistication and symbolic capabilities. Jean Clottes (2016) interprets these markings as powerful symbolic dialogues, possibly connecting humans with spiritual worlds or ancestors. Such interpretations illuminate the complex, multi-layered meanings embedded in these ancient symbols, suggesting hand stencils were not mere decorations but deeply intentional expressions of identity, spirituality, and community bonds.

Makers of the Marks

The diversity among hand stencil creators adds depth to our understanding of prehistoric societies. Morphometric studies indicate that women and children were significant contributors, evident from the varying sizes and proportions of handprints in sites like Pech Merle and Rouffignac Cave, France (Van Gelder & Sharpe, 2009). Indeed, roughly one-quarter of known stencils were crafted by young hands, suggesting these caves were inclusive spaces of communal gathering, learning, and cultural transmission (Guthrie, 2005). The presence of young artists underscores the social nature of cave art, where cultural heritage and knowledge passed seamlessly across generations. 

Symbolic Meanings

Hand stencils often carry deeper symbolic meanings, frequently depicted with intentional missing fingers, possibly signifying complex communication methods, ritualistic practices, or symbolic gestures of sacrifice and belonging (Snow, 2006). At Gargas Cave, the repeated appearance of such stencils implies deliberate artistic choice rather than accidental loss or injury, hinting at a sophisticated form of proto-communication or ritual symbolism (Groenen, 2016). These enigmatic symbols provoke endless curiosity and interpretation, inviting us to explore ancient societies’ profound yet mysterious belief systems. 

Neanderthal Artists

The revelation of Neanderthal-created hand stencils at Maltravieso Cave drastically reshapes our understanding of these ancient relatives. Dating to approximately 66,700 years ago, these artworks predate modern human presence in Europe, demonstrating Neanderthals’ capability for abstract thought, artistic expression, and symbolic communication (Hoffmann et al., 2018). This discovery challenges long-standing stereotypes, positioning Neanderthals as sophisticated beings with complex social structures, rituals, and creative traditions—indelibly marking their legacy within humanity’s shared heritage. 

Personal Reflection and Modern Resonance

Handprints transcend historical and cultural divides, resonating deeply within modern consciousness through their universal symbolism of identity and continuity. Today, a child’s handprint evokes a profound emotional connection, bridging the vast temporal gap between ourselves and our ancestors. As parents guide their children’s hands onto clay or paper, they unknowingly echo the same intimate gesture practiced thousands of years earlier in shadowy caves. This continuity reflects humanity’s enduring quest for meaning, connection, and permanence, uniting generations through shared gestures of presence and belonging.

Conclusion

Hand stencils serve as timeless symbols of humanity’s deepest needs: recognition, belonging, storytelling, and community. These simple marks assert presence, convey complex meanings beyond language, and profoundly connect us to our earliest ancestors. They invite modern observers to reflect on our shared humanity and the eternal impulse to leave a mark upon the world, asserting with silent dignity: We are here.

Works Cited

Aubert, M., Lebe, R., Oktaviana, A. A., Tang, M., Burhan, B., Jusdi, A., … & Brumm, A. (2019). Earliest hunting scene in prehistoric art. Nature, 576(7787), 442–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1806-y

Aubert, M., Pike, A. W. G., & Stringer, C. (2014). Pleistocene cave art from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nature, 514(7521), 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13422

Bednarik, R. G. (2008). Children as Pleistocene artists. Rock Art Research, 25(2), 173–182. https://www.academia.edu/1443733/Children_as_Pleistocene_artists

Clottes, J. (2016). What is Paleolithic Art? (D. Coltman, Trans.). University of Chicago Press.

D’Errico, F., & Vanhaeren, M. (2017). Hand to mouth: The origins of symbolic behaviour seen through the study of dental wear and artefacts. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372(1725), 20160377. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0377

Groenen, M. (2016). Handprints and fingerprints in rock art. Arts, 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts5010007

Guthrie, R. D. (2005). The Nature of Paleolithic Art. University of Chicago Press.

Hoffmann, D. L., Standish, C. D., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Milton, J. A., Zilhão, J., … & Pike, A. W. G. (2018). U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neanderthal origin of Iberian cave art. Science, 359(6378), 912–915. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap7778

Pike, A. W. G., Hoffmann, D. L., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Alcolea, J., De Balbín, R., … & Zilhão, J. (2012). U-series dating of Paleolithic art in 11 caves in Spain. Science, 336(6087), 1409–1413. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1219957

Snow, D. R. (2006). Sexual dimorphism in European Upper Paleolithic cave art. American Antiquity, 71(4), 663–678. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600039840

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1999). Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/936

Van Gelder, L., & Sharpe, K. (2009). Women and girls as Upper Paleolithic cave “artists”: Deciphering the sexes of the hands at Rouffignac Cave, France. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 28(4), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0092.2009.00332.x

Wreschner, E. E. (1983). Red ochre and human evolution: A case for discussion. Current Anthropology, 24(5), 605–625. https://doi.org/10.1086/203067

Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D. E., Badal-García, E., d’Errico, F., Daniel, F., Dayet, L., … & Higham, T. (2010). Symbolic use of marine shells and mineral pigments by Iberian Neandertals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(3), 1023–1028. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0914088107

Zilhão, J., & d’Errico, F. (1999). The chronology and taphonomy of the earliest Aurignacian and its implications for the understanding of Neandertal extinction. Journal of World Prehistory, 13(1), 1–68. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022348410845

#AncientHumans #Anthropology #ArchaeologicalFinds #Archaeology #ArtHistory #CaveArt #DeepHistory #EarlyHumans #HandStencils #HumanOrigins #HumanStory #NeanderthalArt #Paleoanthropology #PaleolithicArt #Prehistory #RockArt #ScienceCommunication #SymbolicArt #WorldOfPaleoanthropology #archaeology #evolution #history #Science

Early humans survived in a range of extreme environments before global migration, study says

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-early-humans-extreme-habitats-stage.html

> Humans are the only animal that lives in virtually every possible environment, from rainforests to deserts to tundra.

#anthropology #EarlyHumans

What Happened Before History? Human Origins

https://tube.blueben.net/w/vEt5itvSekSkgaxAiVdUZy

A Touch Across Time: The Neanderthal Fingerprint That Changed Everything

In the quiet, sun-dappled hills of San Lázaro, Spain, archaeologists recently stumbled upon an astonishing discovery—a simple red ocher fingerprint pressed deliberately onto a rock surface some 43,000 years ago. At first glance, this may seem humble: a fleeting human mark from deep history. But this fingerprint is far more profound. It belongs not to Homo sapiens—modern humans like you and me—but to our enigmatic cousins, the Neanderthals (Rodríguez-Hidalgo et al., 2024).

This tiny imprint is more than just an ancient mark. It’s a tangible, intimate connection to a Neanderthal individual, someone who stood exactly where researchers now stand, touching a stone in a purposeful act. So, what exactly does this discovery mean for our understanding of Neanderthals? Why is it so exciting, and why should it captivate us?

A Moment Captured in Time

Consider, for a moment, the sheer wonder of a fingerprint. Every single ridge and swirl is unique to an individual—a personal signature no one else shares. This particular Neanderthal fingerprint, vividly preserved in red ocher, offers an intimate snapshot from tens of thousands of years ago. The decision to press one’s finger onto the rock, leaving a deliberate mark, strongly suggests intentionality and symbolic expression (Zilhão, 2012).

Previously, many viewed Neanderthals as primarily practical, survival-focused beings who didn’t engage significantly in symbolic thought. Over recent decades, however, discoveries like shell jewelry, cave art, and now this fingerprint have profoundly reshaped that narrative. This fingerprint suggests a conscious, meaningful action—a symbolic gesture that hints at complex thought processes and an awareness of self and identity (d’Errico & Stringer, 2011).

Symbolism and Self-Awareness

When modern humans use art, we communicate ideas, emotions, or stories. Could the same be true for Neanderthals? The placement of the fingerprint wasn’t random; the stone was naturally shaped somewhat like a face. By enhancing its facial features with this print, the Neanderthal artist was engaging in representational thought, transforming a naturally occurring shape into something more—a representation with meaning beyond mere practicality.

This find challenges earlier assumptions about Neanderthal cognition, pushing the boundary of what we define as distinctly “human.” Symbolic behavior and self-awareness have often been considered hallmarks of modern human cognition. Finding evidence of this behavior in Neanderthals suggests that they shared far more cognitive and cultural complexity with us than previously thought (Hovers & Belfer-Cohen, 2013).

What We’ve Learned So Far

This single fingerprint can tell us a surprising amount. Forensic analysis has determined that it belonged to an adult male, offering a glimpse into the demographics of the site (Rodríguez-Hidalgo et al., 2024). Its remarkable preservation provides clues about Neanderthal material culture. Ocher, a naturally occurring mineral pigment, was clearly valued, collected, and used deliberately.

Studies of ocher use among both modern humans and Neanderthals show it was often employed in rituals, personal adornment, and symbolic contexts. Its presence on this stone strongly supports the interpretation of symbolic intent rather than mere practicality (Wadley, 2005).

New Avenues of Research

Where do we go from here? First, archaeologists can explore other Paleolithic sites with fresh eyes, looking for subtle symbolic marks or impressions previously overlooked. Discoveries like this fingerprint remind us that symbols and meaning-making activities may not always be grandiose. Sometimes, they’re understated yet powerful.

Second, interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial. Forensic science, pigment analysis, cognitive archaeology, and ethnography must come together to illuminate the broader context of such symbolic acts. Was this mark part of a social ritual or a personal statement? Did ocher carry particular cultural significance?

Third, this discovery encourages us to re-evaluate the archaeological record holistically. Perhaps other seemingly mundane artifacts conceal symbolic dimensions. Staying open to subtle details might reveal hidden narratives and richer cognitive worlds.

Implications for Science and Humanity

Archaeology thrives on asking better questions. Once, the core question about Neanderthals was whether they had symbolic capacity at all. Now, the focus shifts: What form did their symbolic behavior take? How widespread was it? What role did symbolism play in their social fabric?

This find also highlights the importance of site preservation and meticulous excavation. The fingerprint survived thanks to extraordinary preservation conditions—conditions increasingly threatened by climate change and human activity.

Importantly, this discovery prompts us to rethink human uniqueness. If symbolic expression developed independently in different hominin species, then symbolism may not be a rare cognitive anomaly but a fundamental aspect of hominin brain evolution. This challenges longstanding assumptions about our exclusive grip on culture and art.

Bridging the Millennia

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this discovery is its intimacy. A fingerprint bridges tens of thousands of years, connecting two individuals across an unimaginable gulf of time. It evokes empathy, curiosity, and awe. We glimpse, however briefly, the emotional and intellectual world of a person long gone.

The emerging picture of Neanderthals is one of nuance and richness. They were not brutish outliers of evolution but thoughtful, creative beings with lives filled with meaning. This fingerprint deepens that narrative and elevates our appreciation for the breadth of human experience.

Final Reflections

The red ocher fingerprint from San Lázaro is a potent reminder that history is made not only through tools and bones but through the quiet, deliberate gestures of individuals. This ancient mark redefines what it means to be human and extends our story beyond the borders of Homo sapiens.

As scientific inquiry continues, each new discovery—no matter how small—adds to our collective understanding. The fingerprint from San Lázaro is a vivid testament that every one of us leaves an impression. Some fade. Some, like this, endure.

Let it inspire us to keep asking questions, stay curious, and embrace the deep history that connects us all.

References:

d’Errico, F., & Stringer, C. (2011). Evolution, revolution or saltation scenario for the emergence of modern cultures? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 366(1567), 1060–1069. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0303

Hovers, E., & Belfer-Cohen, A. (2013). On variability and complexity: Lessons from the Levantine Middle Paleolithic record. Current Anthropology, 54(S8), S337–S357. https://doi.org/10.1086/673389

Rodríguez-Hidalgo, A., et al. (2024). Neanderthal fingerprint on ochre-enhanced stone at San Lázaro, Spain: Symbolic behavior in the Middle Paleolithic. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-024-01876-2

Wadley, L. (2005). Putting ochre to the test: Replication studies of adhesives that may have been used for hafting tools in the Middle Stone Age. Journal of Human Evolution, 49(5), 587–601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.06.007

Zilhão, J. (2012). Personal ornaments and symbolism among the Neanderthals. In J.-J. Hublin & M. P. Richards (Eds.), The Evolution of Hominin Diets (pp. 35–49). Springer.

#AncientMind #AnthropologyMatters #Archaeology #CaveArt #CognitiveEvolution #DeepHistory #EarlyHumans #HomininCulture #HumanOrigins #Imagination #Neanderthal #NeanderthalArt #Paleoanthropology #Paleolithic #PaleoPost #PaleoPostDeepHistoryNeanderthalArtCaveArtAnthropologyMattersScienceCommunicationHomininCultureCognitiveEvolutionPrehistoricExpression #PrehistoricArt #RockArt #ScienceCommunication #SymbolicArt #earlyHumans #evolution #genetics #history #Science

The Lost Canvas of Humanity: What the World Would Look Like If Paleolithic Rock Art Survived

Imagine a world bursting at the seams with artwork—everywhere you turned, glimpses of ancient human expression etched into stone, painted onto cliffs, and adorning the landscapes around us. While this might sound like an exaggerated fantasy, it reflects the likely reality of the Paleolithic era. Today, we marvel at cave art like Lascaux or Chauvet because caves shielded these masterpieces from the harsh effects of weather and erosion. But beyond the shelter of caves, an abundance of open-air rock art once existed—now largely lost to the relentless march of time.

Beyond the Cave Walls: A Broader Artistic Tradition

Rock art, a powerful testament to early human creativity and communication, wasn’t confined solely to caves. Throughout the Paleolithic, artists frequently chose open spaces—cliff faces, boulders, and rock outcrops—to share their stories, express their spirituality, mark territories, or simply beautify their surroundings. Unfortunately, these exposed locations meant their artwork was far less likely to survive thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years.

The Erosion of Evidence

One primary reason for the scarcity of surviving open-air rock art is weathering. Unlike cave interiors, exposed rock surfaces face constant assault from sun, wind, rain, temperature fluctuations, and biological growth. Over millennia, these natural forces gradually erase delicate pigments and detailed carvings. In temperate climates, freeze-thaw cycles accelerate this destruction, cracking rocks and further obliterating ancient imagery.

A Glimpse at What Survived

Consider the Coa Valley in Portugal—an area renowned for its surviving open-air Paleolithic rock art, which escaped obliteration due to a unique combination of geological stability and relatively arid conditions. These circumstances are rare, which explains why such rich open-air art sites are uncommon. Yet discoveries like those in the Coa Valley hint at the vast quantities of rock art that likely existed in other, less forgiving environments.

A Lost World of Art

If open-air rock art had preserved more effectively, our understanding of prehistoric peoples would be dramatically deeper. We would likely find that art wasn’t an occasional endeavor, limited to deep and inaccessible caves, but rather an integral, ubiquitous aspect of daily Paleolithic life. Imagery would adorn riverbanks, mountain passes, pathways, hunting grounds, and ceremonial sites—transforming our modern landscapes into immense outdoor galleries.

Expanding the Canvas of Human Culture

Furthermore, widespread rock art could profoundly impact our understanding of early human cognition and culture. A greater volume of preserved artworks would provide more data points, revealing regional differences, thematic patterns, stylistic evolutions, and the diffusion of cultural ideas across vast geographic distances. This artistic abundance would clarify questions about human migration, interaction between groups, and cultural development.

Lessons from Australia

Consider Australia, home to some of the oldest continuously practiced artistic traditions in the world. There, open-air rock art has survived remarkably well due to relatively stable environmental conditions. Australia’s extensive rock art offers insights into complex belief systems, social structures, and historical events spanning tens of thousands of years. Had similar preservation conditions existed elsewhere, the Paleolithic world would similarly unveil its hidden stories, offering us intricate snapshots of long-gone societies.

Rethinking the Human Story

If Paleolithic rock art had survived globally, the cultural narrative we tell ourselves today would differ dramatically. Art has always been a mirror of society, reflecting its values, struggles, joys, and spiritual insights. With broader preservation, we would see far more nuanced and diverse stories from the past. Instead of isolated masterpieces, we’d discover continuous, evolving narratives of human existence, resilience, and imagination.

The Beauty of Impermanence

While we lament the loss of this invaluable heritage, there’s a poignant beauty in acknowledging its impermanence. The Paleolithic artists likely understood the transient nature of their creations, crafting images with passion, perhaps aware that their expressions might only briefly withstand the elements. This impermanence connects us to them in a profoundly human way—reminding us of life’s fleeting beauty and the universal drive to communicate, to express, and to leave a mark, however temporary.

A World That Could Have Been

In the end, the missing rock art of the Paleolithic era is a tantalizing glimpse into what might have been. Imagining a world brimming with ancient artistic expression inspires awe and wonder, driving home the profound truth that humanity’s artistic impulse is deep-rooted, boundless, and resilient—even when confronted by nature’s inevitable erasure.

#AncientArt #Anthropology #Archaeology #ArtHistory #ArtPreservation #AustraliaRockArt #CaveArt #CoaValley #CulturalHeritage #EarlyHumans #HumanCreativity #HumanHistory #Impermanence #OpenAirArt #PaleolithicArt #PrehistoricArt #RockArt #StoneAge

Neighbors...

Muddy footprints suggest 2 species of early humans were neighbors in Kenya 1.5 million years ago

Muddy footprints left on a Kenyan lakeside suggest two of our early human ancestors were nearby neighbors some 1.5 million years ago.

The footprints were left in the mud by two different species “within a matter of hours, or at most days,” said paleontologist Louise Leakey, co-author of the research published Thursday in the journal Science.

#evolution #Kenya #earlyhumans

https://apnews.com/article/fossil-footprints-early-humans-coexistence-f785102d487f7402421a269cac439ae6

Where are the articles that notice the advent of saliva that breaks down starch are at the same time when early humans began baking bread?

#earlyhumans