--- title: "Neanderthals' Wooden Tools Preserved in Spanish Rock Shelter" url: https://noti.group/neanderthals-wooden-tools-preserved-in-spanish-rock-shelter/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-09T22:34:03.000Z updated: 2026-10-10T01:38:08.697Z id: 792dad7b-5fcd-4203-b52c-613ce496d4f6 source: "Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/neanderthal-wooden-tools-from-spain-found-preserved-in-stone/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/neanderthals-wooden-tools-preserved-in-spanish-rock-shelter/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Neanderthals' Wooden Tools Preserved in Spanish Rock Shelter Spanish archaeologists have uncovered 597 wooden remains from Neanderthal living areas dating back between 62,000 and 40,000 years ago. A remarkable discovery has been made at Abric Romaní, a rock shelter in Capellades, west of Barcelona, Spain. The site's unique mineral-rich water has preserved wooden tools used by Neanderthals, allowing archaeologists to uncover the shape and structure of these ancient artifacts. The research team, comprised of Spanish archaeologists, cataloged 597 wooden remains from Neanderthal living areas dating back between 62,000 and 40,000 years ago. Their findings suggest that Neanderthals were more skilled and resourceful than previously thought. The discovery includes various tools such as spears, digging sticks, bark trays, and even a unique club. The majority of the world's oldest wooden artifacts are primarily made up of weapons. These include spears found in Schöningen, Germany; Clacton-on-Sea in England; and Lehringen, Germany, where an elephant skeleton was discovered alongside one of these ancient spears. The preservation of these relics is attributed to waterlogged sediments that lacked sufficient oxygen to accelerate decay. The preservation method at Abric Romaní has resulted in the formation of hollow molds, which accurately replicate the shape of the original wooden tools. This unique process allows researchers to study and analyze Neanderthal woodwork with unprecedented detail, shedding new light on their way of life during this period. The wooden tools found at Abric Romaní in Spain provide a unique insight into Neanderthal daily life, going beyond their hunting practices. In contrast to previous finds that mostly shed light on how Neanderthals hunted, these discoveries reveal a more nuanced picture of their activities. The shelter's stratified layers suggest that woodworking was a routine task for Neanderthals, rather than an occasional one-off event. The shelter sits at the base of a cliff formed from travertine, a type of limestone deposited by calcium-rich spring water. As this water dripped onto the floor, it carried with it calcium carbonate that settled on any objects present, including logs, leaves, pine cones, and Neanderthal tools. This process created a protective crust around the wood, which slowly decomposed over time, leaving behind hollow molds that are essentially perfect negatives of the original objects. These molds can be incredibly detailed, even showing the outlines of individual wood cells under microscopic examination. Each find is carefully excavated and documented by the team, who have developed a method for preserving these fragile objects since beginning their work at Abric Romaní in 1983. The restoration specialists then consolidate the crust before opening up one part of the object to reveal its contents. The 3D printing process allows researchers to create accurate replicas of the wooden remains without damaging the original artifacts. These digital copies can be used for further study and are also suitable for display in museums. The team has digitized the molds using 3D scanning and photogrammetry, enabling them to create precise replicas of the Neanderthal tools. The majority of the 597 wooden fragments analyzed were found to be natural trunks or branches from Scots pine trees. However, a smaller selection, just 13 objects, had been shaped or modified by Neanderthals. According to Chacón, the morphology of these tools is unlike anything found in nature, suggesting they were crafted for specific purposes. Among the artifacts discovered near hearths are four shallow trays made from juniper bark. Measuring up to 55 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide, these may have been used to carry food or scoop embers, much like traditional Aboriginal Australian dishes called coolamons. The team also found a branchless pole over five meters long in the shelter's innermost part. This long pole is consistent with a pattern observed throughout the excavated levels: along the back wall of the shelter, Neanderthals maintained a row of small hearths spaced approximately one meter apart and roughly 50 centimeters across. Chacón speculates that these hearths were used for sleeping purposes rather than cooking. The presence of a single branchless pole in the shelter supports this theory: it likely leaned against the wall to form a windbreak or simple hut, protecting occupants from harsh weather conditions and potential predators. The team's experiments indicate that such a structure would require a length of approximately five meters to be effective. The combination of sleeping hearths and a possible windbreak suggests that Neanderthals may have used this shelter for more than just food preparation and storage. The arrangement could have provided a safe and comfortable space for rest, potentially even serving as a makeshift dwelling during extreme weather events. The shelter's central area, where food was prepared and meals were shared, featured large overlapping hearths surrounded by animal bones, stone-knapping debris, and firewood. This space would have been a hub of activity for the Neanderthals who used it. Near the antlered skulls of red deer, the team found a pointed stick and two spears that had likely been used for hunting. The best-preserved spear measured 2.45 meters in length, with a cast of its point revealing an impact fracture consistent with damage caused by striking bone or hard material. A particularly surprising discovery was a wooden club, carved from a single piece of wood with a 16-centimeter handle and a roughly triangular head approximately 14 centimeters tall. The abrupt right-angle step at the junction of the handle and head may have served to prevent the hand from slipping while in use. The Romaní club is notable for its similarity to clubs used by hunter-gatherer groups, such as those observed in Aboriginal Australian communities. These clubs were often used to kill game at close range, fight, or serve as symbols of social standing. However, the team's hypothesis that the Romaní club was used for everyday work rather than ceremonial purposes is not without its uncertainties. Further study and analysis are needed to confirm the precise function and use of this wooden club, which has no clear precedent in the archaeological record. The discovery of such a well-preserved object provides valuable insights into the daily lives and practices of Neanderthals who used it. The choice of materials used by Neanderthals in their wooden tools suggests a high level of understanding and familiarity with wood as a material. Scots pine was likely chosen due to its ease of workability and quick drying time, making it an ideal material for creating tools that could be easily replaced. In contrast, juniper was used for the trays due to its fibrous bark, which may have been better suited for this specific application. The selection of wood types also implies a level of planning and organization in Neanderthal activities. When searching for materials, they would have known exactly what they were looking for, suggesting a high degree of cognitive complexity. This is consistent with the broader picture emerging from recent discoveries, which show Neanderthals to be capable of complex behaviors. The discovery at Abric Romaní has significant implications for our understanding of Neanderthal behavior and cognition. It challenges previous perceptions of Neanderthals as being less intelligent or capable than Homo sapiens. The tools found in the site demonstrate a level of sophistication and planning that was previously underestimated. Chacón's team is concerned that many other potential discoveries may have been overlooked due to lack of time and resources. Many Neanderthal sites have been excavated, but without sufficient funding and personnel, important finds may have been missed or discarded. This highlights the importance of continued research and excavation in this field. The revelation at Abric Romaní also raises questions about how we interpret other discoveries from similar sites. Chacón suggests that a re-examination of existing evidence may be necessary to uncover new insights into Neanderthal behavior and cognition. New discoveries have shed light on the sophisticated tool-making abilities of Neanderthals in Spain, with a stash of wooden tools found preserved in stone. The ancient artifacts were likely created using a unique method that allowed them to be embedded in volcanic rock. This preservation technique has provided a rare glimpse into the lives of these prehistoric humans. The findings have sparked renewed interest in re-examining existing evidence on Neanderthal behavior and cognition, with some researchers suggesting that new insights may await discovery through a fresh analysis of available data. --- Source: [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/neanderthal-wooden-tools-from-spain-found-preserved-in-stone/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/neanderthals-wooden-tools-preserved-in-spanish-rock-shelter/