World's oldest string of yarn shows Neanderthals were smarter than we thought

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Archeologists say they have found the world's oldest string of yarn or cord, which our Neanderthal ancestors made by twisting together natural fibers. Researchers said the find is the earliest known evidence of textile and cord making and suggests that Stone Age Neanderthals were perhaps much smarter than we thought.

"The idea that Neanderthals were cognitively inferior to modern humans is becoming increasingly untenable," researchers wrote in a new study. The study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. The cord fragment, consisting of three bundles of fibers twisted together and wrapped around a thin stone tool, was discovered at the prehistoric cave site of Abri du Maras in the south of France.

The yarn dates from 41,000 to 52,000 years ago and researchers said the cord is made from fibers taken from the inner bark of a tree, likely a conifer. The authors believe that the cord was wrapped around the tool as a handle or was part of a net or bag containing the tool.

"It's impossible that nature made this twisted fiber," said study author Marie-Hélène Moncel, who is a director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) The research suggests that production of the cord would have required extensive knowledge of the growth and seasonality of the trees used.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/09/world/oldest-yarn-neanderthals-scn/index.html

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1. Pic of the cord:

[Judi Lynn]

2. 40,000-year-old yarn suggests Neanderthals had basic maths skills

Making the yarn would have required the Neanderthals to have a basic understanding of mathematical concepts, a study suggests.

By Sara Rigby
14th April, 2020 at 11:54

Scientists have discovered what they believe to be the first direct evidence of yarn making, dating back more than 40,000 years.

The 6mm-long cord fragment, which as found at an archaeological site in Abri du Maras in the south of France, was made by Neanderthals who lived during the Middle Palaeolithic period, 30,000 to 300,000 years ago.

According to the researchers, the findings published in the journal Scientific Reports suggest Neanderthals would have needed basic numeracy skills to create bundles of fibres to make yarn, meaning their cognitive abilities may have been more advanced than previously thought.

An international team, led by Bruce Hardy, a professor of anthropology at Kenyon College in Ohio, US, analysed the cord fragment which was found twisted in three small bundles wrapped around a 60mm long stone tool. The scientists believe the cord may have been used as a handle for the tool or was part of a net or bag containing the implement.

More:
https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/40000-year-old-yarn-suggests-neanderthals-had-basic-maths-skills/

[Judi Lynn]

3. Amazing. Thank you. n/t