Study: Neanderthals and Homo sapiens shared culture for 20,000 years

A new study published in the journal PNAS reveals that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens living in a Turkish cave shared a common culture for over 20,000 years, including identical tool-making techniques, hunting strategies, and symbolic use of seashells.

Key findings

• Both species inhabited Üçağızlı II sequentially: Neanderthals from ~77,000 to 59,000 years ago, and Homo sapiens from ~59,000 to 47,000 years ago Source: CNN.
• Analysis of 19,252 stone tools showed identical methods (Late Middle Paleolithic and Mousterian points) Source: ABC.
• Both groups hunted the same prey (wild goats, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar) and collected the same small sea snail, Columbella rustica, possibly for adornment Source: Lavanguardia.

Evidence of cultural exchange

• The deliberate collection of non-edible shells suggests shared symbolic preferences Source: Lavanguardia.
• "Our findings indicate a deep level of cultural interaction," said study lead Naoki Morimoto Source: Lavanguardia.
• While direct contact isn't proven, "the remarkable continuity in technology, hunting practices, and shell transport is consistent with the idea that these populations interacted and shared cultural traditions," added co-author İsmail Baykara Source: CNN.

Implications

• The study provides the strongest evidence yet that Neanderthals and sapiens not only interbred but also exchanged ideas across generations, challenging views of them as isolated species Source: ABC.
• This cultural continuity spanned at least 20,000 years, suggesting sustained contact along the Levantine corridor Source: ABC.