Convergent Evidence of Eagle Talons Used by Late Neanderthals in Europe: A Further Assessment on Symbolism

Abstract

To contribute to have a better understanding of the symbolic or not use of certain items by Neanderthals, this work presents new evidence of the deliberate removal of raptor claws occurred in Mediterranean Europe during the recent phases of the Mousterian. Rio Secco Cave in the north-east of Italy and Mandrin Cave in the Middle Rhône valley have recently produced two golden eagle pedal phalanges from contexts not younger than 49.1–48.0 ky cal BP at Rio Secco and dated around 50.0 ky cal BP at Mandrin. The bones show cut-marks located on the proximal end ascribable to the cutting of the tendons and the incision of the cortical organic tissues. Also supported by an experimental removal of large raptor claws, our reconstruction explains that the deliberate detachment occurred without damaging the claw, in a way comparable at a general level with other Mousterian contexts across Europe. After excluding that these specimens met the nutritional requirements for human subsistence, we discuss the possible implications these findings perform in our current knowledge of the European Middle Palaeolithic context.

A rock engraving made by Neanderthals in Gibraltar

“…Middle Paleolithic | symbolism | art | Iberia | cognition C onsiderable debate surrounds the Neanderthals' cognitive abilities (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7), and the view that the Neanderthals did not have the same cognitive capacities as modern humans persists in the literature (8) despite evidence to the contrary (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). One of the arguments against Neanderthals' modern cognition is their apparent inability to generate cave art (16)(17)(18)(19).…”

I remember. Differences between the Neanderthal and modern human mind

“…Their behaviour should thus not be reduced to the sphere of modern human behaviour (Romandini et al 2014), but they should be granted their own identity, ways of thinking and acting, which enabled them to be successful and efficient in their world. …”

“…Eagle talons found at some Neanderthal sites have also caught the attention of researchers (Romandini et al 2014;Radov≠i≤ et al 2015), because some of them might have intentionally made notches and polish on their surface. In the number of talons, Krapina stands out, since eight were found there.…”

Painted shark vertebrae beads from the Djawumbu–Madjawarrnja complex, western Arnhem Land

“…This behaviour is specific to humans (both Modern Humans and Neanderthals: Bouzouggar et al 2007;Henshilwood et al 2004;Morin and Laroulandie 2012;Romandini et al 2014;Taborin 1987;Zilhão et al 2010), and has provided archaeologists with numerous insights into the cognitive development, cultural variability and cultural interaction of various communities throughout Africa, Western Asia and Europe (e.g. Alvarez-Fernandez and Joris 2008;Kuhn and Stiner 2007;Vanhaeren and d'Errico 2006;White 2007aWhite , 2007b.…”