Researchers determined that ancient Neanderthals ritualistically buried their dead.
Scientists conducted a 13-year-long study on Neanderthal bones found in southwestern France, and concluded the human ancestors most likely conducted planned burials, a New York University news release reported.
"This discovery not only confirms the existence of Neanderthal burials in Western Europe, but also reveals a relatively sophisticated cognitive capacity to produce them," William Rendu, the study's lead author and a researcher at the Center for International Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CIRHUS) in New York City, said,
The Neanderthal remains that were the primary study subjects were first found in 1908 at La Chapelle-aux-Saints in southwestern France. The discovery of the ancient hominids prompted 20th century archeologists to continue excavation on the site.
Since early excavations the researchers have believed the site was an ancient Neanderthal burial ground. Scientists have been skeptical about the true function of the area; some saying that there was little evidence the bodies (and number of them) found on the site had be placed there intentionally.
Starting in 199, the researchers excavated seven other nearby caves in order to make a comparison. The scientists were able to find more bones; believed to be from one adult and two children. They also found animal remains, such as a bison and a reindeer.
The researchers were not able to find any evidence that the Neanderthals used tools to dig graves on the sites, but their findings did suggest the holes containing the bodies could not have naturally occurred in the cave floors.
Additionally, the bones were surprisingly clean of natural exposure such as weather damage or animals looking for a snack. This suggests the bodies were protected by a "grave."
"The relatively pristine nature of these 50,000-year-old remains implies that they were covered soon after death, strongly supporting our conclusion that Neanderthals in this part of Europe took steps to bury their dead," Rendu said. "While we cannot know if this practice was part of a ritual or merely pragmatic, the discovery reduces the behavioral distance between them and us."
