Neanderthals’ Creative Touch: Earliest Human Fingerprint Discovered in Spain

Neanderthals’ Creative Touch: Earliest Human Fingerprint Discovered in Spain

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at the San Lázaro rock shelter near Segovia, Spain, where they uncovered what is believed to be the oldest full human fingerprint—created by a Neanderthal—approximately 43,000 years ago. The artifact, a pebble stained with red ocher pigment, has prompted a reassessment of Neanderthals' symbolic and artistic capabilities.

The intrigue surrounding the pebble grew as researchers observed its unique shape and the strategically applied red pigment suggestive of a facial feature, likely a nose. Professor María de Andrés-Herrero from the Complutense University explained that the distinctive mark led the team to investigate the pigment's composition in detail.

Advanced imaging techniques were employed to determine whether the mark was incidental or intentional. Ultimately, the researchers found dermatoglyphic details characteristic of human fingerprints, which indicated it belonged to an adult male who had deliberately dabbed his finger on the pebble’s surface. Experts concluded that the red pigment was not a natural occurrence but was specifically applied in a manner distinct from other stones in the vicinity.

This finding elevates ongoing discussions about Neanderthal creativity, drawing parallels to evidence that suggests early humans also engaged in similar symbolic activities, such as painting cave walls and using personal items to convey communal meanings. While early portable art has typically been attributed to later populations, this pebble indicates that Neanderthals may have also participated in these artistic expressions.

• The analysis revealed that the ocher was of iron-oxide origin, commonly associated with primitive forms of art.
• Further testing confirmed that the ocher was not sourced from the immediate area, suggesting intentional transport from a distance.
• The strategic placement of the red dot, in relation to facial indentations on the stone, reinforces the hypothesis of deliberate and abstract thought.

Archaeologist David Álvarez Alonso highlighted the significance of this find, explaining that the choice of this particular rock likely transcended mere practical use such as tool-making. Once researchers confirmed the fingerprint through digital imaging, forensic examination of its ridge patterns further supported the idea that Neanderthals possessed a degree of artistic awareness.

Despite some skepticism regarding the categorization of the fingerprint as 'art,' many researchers advocate that the act of marking an object is indicative of abstraction and intentionality, traits long thought exclusive to more recent human groups. Spanish cultural official Gonzalo Santonja declared the pebble as the “oldest portable object to be painted on the European continent” and the “only object of portable art painted by Neanderthals,” underscoring the importance of this discovery at a recent press conference.

While there remain debates on what qualifies as art in prehistoric contexts, this archaeological find aligns with a growing body of evidence suggesting a more complex cognitive capacity among Neanderthals than previously acknowledged. Other notable instances include cave art and personal adornments from various excavation sites around Europe.

As archaeologists continue to explore the implications of this discovery, it paves the way for a deeper understanding of Neanderthal life and their potential engagement in symbolic thought. Although a single discovery may not shift scientific consensus abruptly, this pebble from the San Lázaro site could lead to a more nuanced image of Neanderthals as thoughtful beings capable of creativity, mirroring aspects of human behavior.

In summary, the identification of a deliberate imprint and strategic pigment placement suggests that Neanderthals viewed their environment and experiences in ways that are surprisingly complex. This significant finding invites further exploration into how early human relatives expressed identity and emotion.