Did a Neanderthal Discover a Face in Rock 43,000 Years Ago? Uncovering the Mystery of Their Fingerprint!

While exploring a cave in Segovia, Spain, archaeologists stumbled upon a remarkable rock that looks like an elongated face. It even has a spot of red pigment on what could be its nose. "We all immediately thought, ‘This looks like a face,’" said David Álvarez Alonso, an archaeologist from Complutense University in Madrid.

After three years of studying this interesting stone, the researchers speculate that around 43,000 years ago, a Neanderthal dipped their finger in ochre, leaving behind what might be the oldest complete human fingerprint. This finding could be huge, but some experts want more proof.

The team shared their results in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. They argue that the dot’s position indicates symbolic behavior, suggesting it could be one of the first instances of humans representing a face in art.

Álvarez Alonso notes, "Choosing this rock because of its appearance and marking it with ochre shows a human mind capable of symbolizing and projecting thoughts."

The question of whether Neanderthals could create art is still debated. Co-author María de Andrés-Herrero mentioned that evidence is growing, indicating that artistic expression may have appeared earlier in human evolution than we once believed.

For their study, the researchers created a 3D model of the stone and measured its features. They found that the red dot closely mirrors the position of a human nose. Geologists confirmed the dot is indeed made of ochre, and forensic experts used special techniques to show that the pigment was likely applied with a fingertip, revealing what may have been the fingerprint of an adult Neanderthal.

Álvarez Alonso said, "Without that red dot, you can’t claim anything about the object."

However, not everyone agrees. Gilliane Monnier, a professor of anthropology who studies Neanderthal behavior, expressed skepticism. She argued that while the measurements may suggest a face, it doesn’t prove the Neanderthals saw it that way. She also questioned whether the dot was genuinely made by a fingertip or if it might have formed naturally.

Monnier believes it’s crucial to hear from geologists regarding the natural formation of the markings.

The researchers admit that doubts about their hypothesis linger. They view the pareidolia idea—not as a definitive answer but as a possible explanation.

So, what does this mean for our understanding of art’s evolution? The face-shaped rock adds intrigue to the conversation, but more research is needed to unravel this mystery. Neanderthals may have had the capacity for symbolism, making our understanding of early human behavior richer and more complex than before.

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anthropology,Archaeology,early humans,neanderthals