Neanderthals' ancient toolkit included hammers, blades made from rhino teeth, study finds

Neanderthals may have incorporated woolly rhinoceros teeth into their toolkit, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Evolution. Researchers have found markings on fossilized rhino teeth in European caves that suggest deliberate use by Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic period, approximately 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Led by Alicia Sanz-Royo from the University of Aberdeen, the research team examined rhino teeth from El Castillo Cave in Spain and Pech-de-l'Azé II in France. They observed numerous markings consistent with human activity. Crucially, dental microwear analysis confirmed these marks were made after the animals' deaths, ruling out chewing or dietary wear as the cause.

"I had never found teeth with these types of marks. At first, I was quite skeptical," Sanz-Royo told Science News. The study highlights the potential use of teeth as a superhard material for tools, in addition to previously known uses of bones and antlers.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers obtained 18 fresh white rhinoceros teeth from French zoos. A specialist then fashioned these into replicas of Neanderthal tools. Using these experimental tools, researchers performed tasks such as retouching flint and quartz blades, knapping, and employing the teeth as flat surfaces for cutting plant fibers and leather. This process, supervised by taphonomists, successfully recreated distinct markings similar to those found on the fossilized teeth, including overlapping enamel, shallow pits, and percussion notches.

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I had never found teeth with these types of marks. At first, I was quite skeptical.