Evidence supporting an intentional Neandertal burial at La Chapelle-aux-Saints

Abstract

The bouffia Bonneval at La Chapelle-aux-Saints is well known for the discovery of the first secure Neandertal burial in the early 20th century. However, the intentionality of the burial remains an issue of some debate. Here, we present the results of a 12-y fieldwork project, along with a taphonomic analysis of the human remains, designed to assess the funerary context of the La Chapelle-auxSaints Neandertal. We have established the anthropogenic nature of the burial pit and underlined the taphonomic evidence of a rapid burial of the body. These multiple lines of evidence support the hypothesis of an intentional burial. Finally, the discovery of skeletal elements belonging to the original La Chapelle aux Saints 1 individual, two additional young individuals, and a second adult in the bouffia Bonneval highlights a more complex site-formation history than previously proposed.

Neandertals revised

“…The presence of a number of fully articulated Neandertal skeletons (see ref. 111, table S7 for a west European sample) suggests that some Neandertals covered dead conspecifics with sediments, i.e., that they buried their dead. However, as ref.…”

I remember. Differences between the Neanderthal and modern human mind

“…Since crucial data are incomplete, interpretations of the find are completely contrary. Some are certain that this was a burial (Rendu et al 2014), while others claim there is no evidence for this (Dibble et al 2015). The skeleton was found in a shallow pit, but it is not clear whether it is of natural or anthropogenic origin.…”

“…Neanderthals could have used jewellery (Zilhão et al 2010;Peresani et al 2013), buried their dead (Rendu et al 2014), and perhaps even created rock art (Pike et al 2012;Rodriguez-Vidal et al 2014), but these expressions of behaviour not directed solely towards survival, cannot be compared to the number, recognisability, and quality of similar finds occurring in Pleistocene Europe after the arrival of modern humans. Because such finds reflect capacity for mental time travel, it seems that this ability truly developed only in the Late Palaeolithic with modern humans, while Neanderthals might have perceived the flow of time differently.…”

Calculated or caring? Neanderthal healthcare in social context

“…Underlying infection, both localized and systemic, would have taken a progressive toll on health and strength over the last 12 months of life, and his ability to contribute to the group would have decreased accordingly. He was nonetheless clearly part of the group until death, with his articulated remains subsequently carefully buried (see Rendu et al [2014]; Dibble et al [2015]; Rendu et al [2016] for further debate).…”