Stories about Neanderthals
Neanderthal DNA Pattern Does Not Prove Prehistoric Romance
An analysis of Neanderthal ancestry on the X chromosome has been interpreted as potentially consistent with partner preference, but the genetic pattern may also reflect biology, migration or social organization. Evidence from Neanderthal sites in Spain and Belgium points to more complex possibilities.
Elephant Bone Tool from Boxgrove Dates to Nearly 500,000 Years Ago
Researchers have identified a shaped elephant or mammoth bone fragment from Boxgrove in southern England as a reusable tool for retouching stone handaxes. The artifact, analyzed with 3D scanning and microscopy, is described as the oldest known elephant-bone tool in Europe.
Prado Vargas Excavation Expands Neanderthal Layer to 140 Square Meters
The 2026 excavation season at Prado Vargas Cave in northern Spain added 32 square meters to a Neanderthal occupation layer dated to about 46,000 years ago. More than 1,500 animal remains and stone tools were recovered, supporting the interpretation of the area as a substantial camp.