A cache of 15 marine fossils has been discovered in a Neanderthal cave in northern Spain, suggesting that extinct hominids may have developed a passion for hoarding objects, similar to the way modern humans collect baseball cards, stamps and memorabilia.
In the discovery report, the researchers do not yet have a definitive explanation for the trove of seemingly useless objects, but speculate that the fossils may have been collected by Neanderthal children who found them fascinating.
Collecting behavior, although it may seem basic, is actually indicative of advanced cognition because it requires objects to be invested with symbolic meaning.
The extent of Neanderthals’ capacity for abstract thought is still a matter of debate, but growing evidence suggests the complexity of their imaginations.
For example, the study authors point out that ancient Neanderthals produced art, cared for the elderly and disabled, and may have developed religious practices, such as bear worship.
Returning to the discovery, the researchers list numerous examples of collections assembled by Neanderthals, with the 15 fossils recovered from the Prado Vargas Cave representing a unique and unprecedented treasure.
These fossils could be interpreted as evidence of an artistic interest or attraction to the forms of nature, according to the study authors.
Dated between 39,800 and 54,600 years ago, the fossils come from a time and place with no known presence of Homo sapiens, suggesting that collecting and abstract thinking were present in Neanderthals before the arrival of modern humans.
Despite the significance attributed to the fossils, debate remains open as to who collected them and why.
The authors speculate that it may have been children, noting that collecting objects is characteristic of childhood and that remains of Neanderthal children have been found in Prado Vargas.
Some of the fossils in the Neanderthal collection.
This suggests that younger members of the group may have been the ones who started the collection.
The behavior of collecting and collecting fossils appears to be a shared characteristic between humans and Neanderthals, creating a sort of infinite spiral in which we are part of what we collect.
The study was published in the journal Quaternary.
