Latest news with #Neanderthals'
Economic Times
18 hours ago
- Science
- Economic Times
They survived ice ages and hunted mammoths; so why did the Neanderthals suddenly disappear? Now a physicist blames something in the sky
Live Events Radiation as a Hidden Killer? A Caution Against Oversimplification (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Neanderthals have long puzzled scientists. These ancient relatives of modern humans thrived across Europe and parts of Asia for hundreds of thousands of years. But around 40,000 years ago, they disappeared, just as Homo sapiens spread across the same regions. What really caused their extinction remains one of human evolution's biggest a new and unusual theory suggests that space weather, not climate, competition, or disease, may have played a decisive role.A recent study by Dr. Agnit Mukhopadhyay, a space physicist from the University of Michigan , proposes that a powerful cosmic event known as the Laschamp excursion might have played a part in the Neanderthals' decline. The findings were published in the journal Science Laschamp event occurred about 41,000 years ago, when the Earth's magnetic poles temporarily flipped. During this brief reversal, the planet's magnetic field, which normally protects us from cosmic radiation, dramatically weakened for several argues that this weakening may have exposed the Earth's surface to much higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) and cosmic radiation, particularly in some parts of the core of the hypothesis is that Neanderthals, already living in small, isolated populations, may have been more vulnerable to this radiation than Homo sapiens. The study claims that Homo sapiens had tighter clothing, used red ochre as UV protection, and took shelter in caves helping them survive the radiation. Neanderthals, in contrast, might have lacked these simulations in the study even show that auroras, a sign of increased solar activity, might have been visible across much of the world during this time, proof, the author argues, of the heightened radiation the theory is bold and imaginative, many experts are José-Miguel Tejero and Montserrat Sanz Borràs, writing for The Conversation, point out that the idea rests on shaky archaeological example, it assumes that Neanderthals didn't wear fitted clothing. While it's true that no sewing needles have been found at Neanderthal sites, there is clear evidence that they processed animal hides and likely wore functional garments using other techniques, such as tying hides with leather cords or fact, genetic studies of lice suggest that humans, possibly including Neanderthals, were already wearing clothes over 200,000 years ago. The absence of needles doesn't prove the absence of study also claims that Homo sapiens used red ochre as sunblock. While experiments show that ochre can somewhat block UV rays, this claim is also disputed. Ochre was widely used by both Neanderthals and modern humans, often for symbolic or cosmetic reasons. There is no solid evidence that either group used it primarily for sun are known to have used ochre for over 100,000 years. In one example, a painted scallop shell found in a Neanderthal cave in Spain shows their symbolic use of pigments long before Homo sapiens arrived in scientists believe that multiple factors caused the Neanderthals' disappearance. These include, interbreeding with Homo sapiens (evident in modern DNA), smaller populations that were more vulnerable to decline, limited long-range hunting tools, unlike the projectile weapons used by sapiens, Changing climate, and possibly, competition for this broader context, Mukhopadhyay's theory appears too narrow. Critics note that there is no archaeological evidence of a sudden, global collapse of Neanderthal populations tied to the Laschamp event. If radiation were such a major factor, it would have also harmed Homo sapiens populations living outside caves in sunny Africa, which doesn't seem to have Neanderthal story is complex. These early humans were not primitive brutes. They developed tools, built shelters, made symbolic objects, and survived in extreme climates for hundreds of thousands of years. They even lived through earlier magnetic reversals, such as the Blake event 120,000 years theory adds an intriguing piece to the puzzle, but it's far from did a shift in Earth's magnetic field doom the Neanderthals?Probably not. While the Laschamp event may have had some environmental impact, there's no strong evidence that it caused Neanderthal extinction . The theory suggests that the disappearance of Neanderthals was likely due to a mix of climate, biology, and human interaction.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
They survived ice ages and hunted mammoths; so why did the Neanderthals suddenly disappear? Now a physicist blames something in the sky
Neanderthals have long puzzled scientists. These ancient relatives of modern humans thrived across Europe and parts of Asia for hundreds of thousands of years. But around 40,000 years ago, they disappeared, just as Homo sapiens spread across the same regions. What really caused their extinction remains one of human evolution's biggest mysteries. Now, a new and unusual theory suggests that space weather, not climate, competition, or disease, may have played a decisive role. A recent study by Dr. Agnit Mukhopadhyay, a space physicist from the University of Michigan , proposes that a powerful cosmic event known as the Laschamp excursion might have played a part in the Neanderthals' decline. The findings were published in the journal Science Advances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo The Laschamp event occurred about 41,000 years ago, when the Earth's magnetic poles temporarily flipped. During this brief reversal, the planet's magnetic field, which normally protects us from cosmic radiation, dramatically weakened for several centuries. Mukhopadhyay argues that this weakening may have exposed the Earth's surface to much higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) and cosmic radiation, particularly in some parts of the world. Live Events Radiation as a Hidden Killer? The core of the hypothesis is that Neanderthals, already living in small, isolated populations, may have been more vulnerable to this radiation than Homo sapiens. The study claims that Homo sapiens had tighter clothing, used red ochre as UV protection, and took shelter in caves helping them survive the radiation. Neanderthals, in contrast, might have lacked these protections. Computer simulations in the study even show that auroras, a sign of increased solar activity, might have been visible across much of the world during this time, proof, the author argues, of the heightened radiation environment. While the theory is bold and imaginative, many experts are skeptical. Researchers José-Miguel Tejero and Montserrat Sanz Borràs, writing for The Conversation, point out that the idea rests on shaky archaeological evidence. For example, it assumes that Neanderthals didn't wear fitted clothing. While it's true that no sewing needles have been found at Neanderthal sites, there is clear evidence that they processed animal hides and likely wore functional garments using other techniques, such as tying hides with leather cords or splinters. In fact, genetic studies of lice suggest that humans, possibly including Neanderthals, were already wearing clothes over 200,000 years ago. The absence of needles doesn't prove the absence of clothes. The study also claims that Homo sapiens used red ochre as sunblock. While experiments show that ochre can somewhat block UV rays, this claim is also disputed. Ochre was widely used by both Neanderthals and modern humans, often for symbolic or cosmetic reasons. There is no solid evidence that either group used it primarily for sun protection. Neanderthals are known to have used ochre for over 100,000 years. In one example, a painted scallop shell found in a Neanderthal cave in Spain shows their symbolic use of pigments long before Homo sapiens arrived in Europe. Most scientists believe that multiple factors caused the Neanderthals' disappearance. These include, interbreeding with Homo sapiens (evident in modern DNA), smaller populations that were more vulnerable to decline, limited long-range hunting tools, unlike the projectile weapons used by sapiens, Changing climate, and possibly, competition for resources. In this broader context, Mukhopadhyay's theory appears too narrow. Critics note that there is no archaeological evidence of a sudden, global collapse of Neanderthal populations tied to the Laschamp event. If radiation were such a major factor, it would have also harmed Homo sapiens populations living outside caves in sunny Africa, which doesn't seem to have happened. A Caution Against Oversimplification The Neanderthal story is complex. These early humans were not primitive brutes. They developed tools, built shelters, made symbolic objects, and survived in extreme climates for hundreds of thousands of years. They even lived through earlier magnetic reversals, such as the Blake event 120,000 years ago. Mukhopadhyay's theory adds an intriguing piece to the puzzle, but it's far from conclusive. So, did a shift in Earth's magnetic field doom the Neanderthals? Probably not. While the Laschamp event may have had some environmental impact, there's no strong evidence that it caused Neanderthal extinction . The theory suggests that the disappearance of Neanderthals was likely due to a mix of climate, biology, and human interaction.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Oldest known human fingerprint discovered on ancient Neanderthal artwork – with help from Spain's forensic police
A unique archaeological find has recently expanded our knowledge of Neanderthals' capacity for symbolic thought. The object in question is a granite stone, on which a red ochre dot was deliberately applied to reinforce the image of a human face. It is, to date, the oldest example of portable art associated with Neanderthals. The most remarkable aspect of this discovery was the identification of a fingerprint in the pigment, at a level we have unequivocally dated to more than 42,000 years ago. The fingerprint means the find is direct evidence of a symbolic action that we can attribute to a Neanderthal human (Homo neanderthalensis). This discovery is the fruit of over two years of research, and was published in May 2025 in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. In addition to the team of archaeologists and geologists, our paper was co-authored by members of the Central Identification Unit of the General Commissary of Scientific Police, whose contributions were vital to the work's success. The red-spotted stone was found at the Abrigo de San Lázaro archaeological site – in the Eresma river valley, downstream from the Spanish city of Segovia – where we found remains of occupations of the last European Neanderthals. The stone was in a level where we have previously found Mousterian (Middle Paleolithic) industry. These are stone tools clearly associated with Neanderthal occupations, such as those documented in the known areas of Abrigo del Molino and other nearby sites. In our study, we hypothesise that the object was chosen and collected from the riverbed because of its peculiar natural features. Put simply, it looks like a human face. Facial pareidolia, the psychological phenomenon whereby we perceive faces in inanimate objects, identifies the upper and lower indentations as eyes and a mouth in the stone. The application of red pigment to make a nose reinforces the perception of a face, and acts as a symbolically charged visual marker. The possibility that we are dealing with a symbolic representation of a human face adds a particularly significant interpretative dimension to the archaeological find. Leer más: One of the most remarkable aspects of this research was its cross-disciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, geoarchaeologists and members of the General Commissary of the Spanish Scientific Police. To reach our conclusions, a combination of techniques were applied to the object. First, we performed detailed 3D mapping using high-precision scanners and digital models, which helped to rule out that the stone had served any any functional purpose, such as that of an anvil or hammer. We then carried out non-invasive analyses, such as X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The results confirmed that the red pigment was externally applied ochre, as opposed to a natural mark resulting from the decomposition of minerals in the granite itself. But the most surprising breakthrough came from multispectral analysis. This is a well-known technique that the Spanish General Commissary of Scientific Police developed and adapted specifically for the study of the stone. By using this method, Samuel Miralles Mosquera, a forensic imaging expert, revealed a fingerprint that was invisible to the naked eye, printed directly into the pigment. The image was later analyzed by M° Carmen Sastre Barrio, Encarnación Nieva Gómez, M° Remedios Díaz Delgado and Elena Ruiz Mediavilla, identification specialists of the same team. They confirmed that it matched the fingerprint of an adult human male. Their work allowed for the identification of the fingerprint with a previously unprecedented level of detail in the context of Paleolithic study. Their help made the research a pioneering reference in the field of applying archaeology and forensic identification to prehistoric times. It provides a new window on the symbolic world of the Neanderthals, and opens new avenues for the study of their artistic expression, their visual sensitivity and their capacity for abstraction. Combining these scientific techniques reinforces the authenticity of the find, and underlines its exceptional nature. It is one of the most complete physical testimonies of a symbolic act performed by a Neanderthal, whose fingerprint was deliberately left in the pigment. Who would have imagined that, more than 40,000 years later, not even Neanderthals could escape being identified by forensic scientists. Leer más: The origin of humans' symbolic behaviour – and with it the emergence of art itself – is one of the most hotly debated questions in research on humankind's cognitive evolution. While both phenomena did not emerge simultaneously, they are deeply interconnected, since the capacity for symbolic thought is ultimately the foundation of all forms of artistic expression. For decades, it was claimed that this ability was exclusive to 'modern' or present-day human beings (Homo sapiens). However, the development of new methodologies and the discovery of increasingly solid evidence have challenged this view to the point of refuting it. There is now a growing consensus that Neanderthals also possessed a complex symbolic repertoire, manifested through modified objects, use of pigments, ritual behaviours and other unambiguously symbolic expressions. One of the key milestones in this shift in opinion was the publication – in the journal Science in 2018 – of the dating of several cave paintings found in three Spanish caves: Ardales, La Pasiega and Maltravieso. These were the first paintings with a symbolic character attributed to Neanderthals. They included simple, geometric shapes, including discernible patterns. Their study revealed the ability of this human group to deliberately generate symbolic images charged with shared meaning. While the representations are simple, they appear repeatedly in different places on the walls of the caves. To this list of findings, we can now add the work of another anonymous Neanderthal. This male, one of Europe's last Neanderthal inhabitants, saw a face on a rock collected from the river, intentionally painted a red dot with ochre, and left his mark on history. Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos académicos. Lee mas: Neanderthals: the oldest art in the world wasn't made by Homo sapiens Neanderthal remains found in France reveals there were not one, but at least two lineages of late Neanderthals in Europe How Neanderthal language differed from modern human – they probably didn't use metaphors Miguel Angel Mate Gonzalez has received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) via a Ramón y Cajal grant (RYC2021-034813-I), co-financed by the EU's 'NextGenerationEU'/PRTR programme. Andrés Díez Herrero, David Álvarez Alonso y María de Andrés-Herrero no reciben salarios, ni ejercen labores de consultoría, ni poseen acciones, ni reciben financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y han declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del puesto académico citado.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Scientists Found the Oldest Ever Fingerprint Left by a Human
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story. Archaeologists discovered a human fingerprint left on a rock in Spain now considered the oldest known human fingerprint. Experts believe a Neanderthal intentionally made the print roughly 43,000 years ago. The rock was used only for the art—a rarity for the ancient time period—rather than a tool or some other utilitarian usage. A Neanderthal may have given us the oldest-known human fingerprint by attempting to paint a face on a small granite pebble in what is now modern-day Spain In a new study published in Archaeological and Anthropological Science, experts claim that a 43,000-year-old fingerprint left in red ocher pigment was intentionally placed on the rock in what was possibly an early form of art. The Neanderthal was attempting to paint a face on a small granite pebble in what is now modern-day Spain. 'This object contributes to our understanding of Neanderthals' capacity for abstraction, suggesting that it could represent one of the earliest human facial symbolizations in prehistory,' wrote the study authors, a collaboration between the Complutense University of Madrid, the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain, the General Commissariat of Scientific Police of the National Police, and the University of Salamanca. Discovered in the San Lazaro rock shelter in central Spain, the team used scanning electron microscopy and multispectral spectroscopy analyses to find the complete fingerprint and then forensic analyses to determine it had to come from a human. 'It is not just a fingerprint; it is the signature of an individual who manipulated this object with a purpose that goes beyond the utilitarian,' the researchers wrote. The authors believe the fingerprint was intentionally placed and the pigment suggests it was applied with the tip of a finger after being soaked in pigment. 'Someone held it, painted it, and placed it there,' the researchers wrote. Found on a pebble believed to have originated from the Eresma River and moved to the shelter, the rock shows no signs of ever being used as a tool, giving the pebble a rare non-utilitarian function from the Middle Paleolithic period, according to a translated statement from the researchers. The painted fingerprint matches up with the pebble's form to make it seem that the Neanderthal who added the red-soaked print meant to create a 'human face, with eyes, a mouth, and a ridge shaped like a nose.' 'This pebble could thus represent one of the oldest known abstractions of a human face in the prehistoric record,' the authors wrote, noting it could be 'face pareidolia,' the act of humans giving objects human-like qualities. The study said that detailed analyses of the print showed it was 'unequivocally attributed to Neanderthals.' The human who dipped their finger into the pigment 'intentionally manipulated' the rock for non-utilitarian purposes and by bringing the rock into the shelter, the Neanderthal could have been following ritualistic behavior or simply trying to liven up a space with a little abstract art. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
43,000 year-old human fingerprint by Neanderthal is known to be the oldest on the planet
Source: Live Science A remarkable discovery of a 43,000 year old human fingerprint has recently shed new light on the capabilities of Neanderthals which are our closest extinct relatives. Scientists have uncovered what is believed to be the oldest known human fingerprint is an imprint left on a stone approximately 43,000 years ago during the prehistoric era. This extraordinary find adds a significant chapter to the history of early humans and their ancestors which reveals that long before recorded history, Neanderthals were capable of leaving symbolic marks. Thus, it challenges long-held assumptions about their behavior and suggests that they possessed a capacity for abstract thought and artistic expression much earlier than previously believed. The oldest human fingerprint Neanderthal found in Spain A red ocher dot on a face-shaped rock in Spain which is dated to about 43,000 years ago may be the oldest known human fingerprint and one of Europe's earliest symbolic artifacts. It was left by a Neanderthal, which is our closest extinct human relative who lived in Europe for thousands of years before disappearing around 40,000 years ago, this mark is believed to represent a nose on the rock's facial features. The discovery challenges the long-held belief that Neanderthals lacked the ability to create symbolic art. Scientist's view on Neanderthal Scientists in Spain have uncovered what they believe is the oldest complete human fingerprint on a rock that resembles a face, indicating Neanderthals may have created art. Around 43,000 years ago, a Neanderthal likely dipped his finger in red pigment to paint a nose on the pebble. The mark was found in a San Lázaro rock shelter in Segovia, The carefully placed dot is seen by researchers as evidence of Neanderthals' symbolic thinking and ability to engage in abstract behavior. According to BBC reports, the excavation at the San Lázaro shelter began five years ago, and in 2022, they discovered the stone beneath 1.5 meters of sediment linked to Neanderthal groups. 'At first, we couldn't believe what we saw—a larger stone among others at the site with a red dot in the center resembling a human face,' he said. Initially unsure if the dot was ochre, a natural pigment, the team confirmed its composition and enlisted Spain's scientific police for further analysis. Using multi-spectrum techniques, they identified a fingerprint on the stone, likely belonging to an adult male. However, archaeologist David Álvarez Alonso, co-author of the study, cautioned that without other Neanderthal fingerprints for comparison, certainty is difficult. Discovery of Neanderthal This is also the first time a stone with a red ochre mark has been discovered in such a context, suggesting Neanderthals intentionally brought the stone to the shelter. Prof. Alonso explained that a Neanderthal likely noticed the stone's unique fissures and deliberately applied the ochre stain in its center. Researchers argue the mark was deliberate since red pigment doesn't occur naturally in the shelter and had to be brought their paper published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , they describe the pebble as exceptional and consider it a visual symbol, possibly a piece of portable art in certain contexts. Qualities of Neanderthal There are various qualities of Neanderthal that attracted scientists towards it. Some of them are: The red ocher dot at the center of the stone's surface is clearly man-made and not natural. Neanderthal cave art often used this pigment, commonly featuring patterns of dots. The stone itself is unusual as researchers found no signs of wear or use as a tool and its size and shape differ from typical stones used for practical purposes at the site. Some indentations appear natural, but others show subtle signs of deliberate shaping. Made of quartz-rich granite, a rare material locally but found upstream about 5 km away, the stone likely was carried to the site by a Neanderthal, as natural river transport was ruled out. Viewed as a non-functional, intentionally altered object, the stone reveals faint facial features. Ongoing research by scientists Using 3D laser scanning and microtopography, along with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), researchers identified the ocher as iron oxide applied without a binding substance. Multispectral imaging uncovered a dermatoglyphic pattern in the pigment, which forensic experts later confirmed as a human fingerprint, showing detailed ridge patterns, splits, and convergence points. Statistical analysis dismissed the idea of random placement, with Monte Carlo simulations showing only a 0.31% likelihood that the red dot's symmetrical position between two indentations happened by chance. Also read: How alligators are transforming and sustaining Florida's Everglades
