Surprising Neanderthal Behavior and Adaptation Emerge from Southern Pyrenees Site

From the foothills of the southern Pyrenees in Spain, fascinating new evidence has emerged of Neanderthal behavior, once again reaffirming that these ancient humans were far more adaptable and clever than we once thought. The evidence points to Neanderthals knowing the best ways to exploit the territory and resilience through harsh climatic conditions. A rock shelter located here known as Abric Pizarro, a rare Neanderthal hangout, has revealed clues that offer some understanding of what led to the eventual downfall of the Neanderthals.

Pre-Homo Sapiens: Before Everything Changed Forever

The Abric Pizarro rock shelter dated back to the marine isotope stage 4 (MIS 4) period, which stretched from about 100,000 to 65,000 years ago. This was long before our own species showed up on the scene in the Iberian Peninsula during MIS 3, a time when Neanderthals were still holding strong—until Homo sapiens arrived, changing everything for them.

Imagine this: before Homo sapiens even set foot in Western Europe, Neanderthals were ruling the roost, thriving in places we once believed were too harsh for them, according to this new study published in The Journal of Archaeological Science.

ANU archaeologist Dr. Sofia Samper Carro says the insights found at Abric Pizarro challenge widespread beliefs that Neanderthals only hunted large animals. (Sofia Samper Carro/ANU)

Previously, experts thought the Pyrenees were way too rough for Neanderthals to settle down in during MIS 4. With wild swings in climate causing dry spells and freezing temperatures, it seemed like a place where no Neanderthal would want to be. But the treasure trove found at Abric Pizarro tells a completely different story, showing us that Neanderthals were far more resourceful than we gave them credit for.

Fig. 2. A) General view Abric Pizarro rockshelter; B) Map of the area of study with nearby archaeological sites; C) Lithostratigraphic column of Abric Pizarro with approximated location of samples taken for OSL and U-Th new ages. D) Photograph of the west section of the deposit. (Samper Carro, S et al. /Journal of Archaeological Science)

Adept Hunters, Master Survivors: Neanderthals

Lead author and Australian National University archaeologist, Dr Sofia Samper Carro said in a statement:

“Our surprising findings at Abric Pizarro show how adaptable Neanderthals were. The animal bones we have recovered indicate that they were successfully exploiting the surrounding fauna, hunting red deer, horses and bison, but also eating freshwater turtles and rabbits, which imply a degree of planning rarely considered for Neanderthals.”

One of the most surprising revelations from Abric Pizarro is that these Neanderthals didn’t just go after big game like horses and rhinos, which is what we usually find in later sites from the MIS 3 period. No, they were also hunting smaller animals, showing that they could tweak their hunting strategies depending on what was available. This flexibility helped them thrive in an environment that wasn’t supposed to be Neanderthal-friendly.

“Through the bones that we are finding, which display cut marks, we have direct proof that Neanderthals were capable of hunting small animals. The bones on this site are very well preserved, and we can see marks of how Neanderthals processed and butchered these animals. Our analysis of the stone artefacts also demonstrates variability in the type of tools produced, indicating Neanderthals’ capability to exploit the available resources in the area,” added Dr. Carro.

The evidence from Abric Pizarro suggests that Neanderthals were anything but dull hunters; in fact, they were pros, with a deep understanding of their surroundings and the ability to make the most of what they had. The variety of stone tools they left behind, each made with different knapping techniques, further showcases their skill in using the natural resources around them.

Dr. Samper Carro explained that their team 3D plots every single remain found that is larger than one to two centimeters. This meticulous approach makes their work slow, with some sites having been under excavation for over 20 years, but it results in a uniquely precise recording of these locations. The focus of their research is on understanding how various data points—ranging from stone tools to bones and hearths—relate to one another.

This thorough excavation method provides archaeologists with insights into how Neanderthals lived and the duration of their presence in a particular area. It’s not just the individual artifacts that offer clues, but also their exact locations in relation to other materials on the site that help determine whether Neanderthals were settled in these areas or merely passing through, reports IIFL Science.

While these findings don’t solve the mystery of why Neanderthals disappeared so quickly after we arrived, what we do know is that Neanderthals disappeared from Europe around 40,000 to 30,000 years ago. The exact timing varies slightly depending on the region, but by about 40,000 years ago, they were largely extinct across most of Europe.

The last known Neanderthal populations are believed to have survived in areas like the Iberian Peninsula and possibly parts of Eastern Europe until around 30,000 years ago. Their extinction closely coincides with the arrival and spread of modern humans across the continent, although the reasons for their disappearance are still a subject of scientific debate.

Top image: representation of Neanderthals at Abric Pizarro archaeological site in Spain.            Source: Stock Source/Adobe Stock

By Sahir Pandey