Neanderthal Subsistence Strategies

and Implications of Cognition Complexity

By Jaclyn Janero

Complex Cognition:• “… the capacity for abstract thought, analogical reasoning, cognitive fluidity, innovative thought, complex goal-directed actions, flexibility in problem-solving, multi-tasking, task switching, response inhibition, and planning over long distances of time.” (Wadley, 2013)•Different than animal hunting• Evidence of this within Neanderthal sites

Abri du Maras (~71 kya)

Hardy, et al. 2013

Abri du Maras

Evidence of twisted fibers

Butchery on a lagomorph femur

Feather barbule fragment

Fish scales

Hardy, et al. 2013

Payre (~150 kya)

Tools used to process starchy plantsHardy & Moncel, 2011

Jonzac (~57 kya)

Jonzac bone bedsBritton, et al. 2011Niven, et al. 2012

Cave Bear Exploitation (~50 kya – 27 kya)

•Hard to document human interaction due to caves•Open air sites• Cut marks, projectile point• Art

Projectile point location and mark Cut marks on a

metacarpalWojtal, et al 2015

Neanderthal Dental Samples

Hardy et al., 2012

• Dental calculus•Medicinal plants• Bitumen & Shale• Inhalation of

smoke

Images of particles trapped in dental calculus

Conclusion

References• Britton, et al. 2011. Strontium isotope evidence for migration in late Pleistocene Rangifer:

Implications for Neanderthal hunting strategies at the Middle Paleolithic site of Jonzac, France. Journal of Human Evolution 61:176-185.

• Hardy, Bruce & Marie-Helene Moncel 2011. Neanderthal Use of Fish, Mammals, Birds, Starchy Plants, and Wood 125-250,000 years ago. PLoS ONE 6:1-9.

• Hardy, et al. 2012. Neanderthal medics? Evidence for food, cooking, and medicinal plants entrapped in dental calculus. Naturwissenschaften 99:617-626.

• Hardy, et al. 2013. Impossible Neanderthals? Making string, throwing projectiles, and catching small game during Marine Isotope Stage 4. Quaternary Science Reviews 82:23-40.

• Niven, et al. 2012. Neanderthal mobility and large-game hunting: The exploitation of reindeer during the Quina Mousterian at Chez-Pinaud Jonzac. Journal of Human Evolution 63:624-635.

• Wadley, Lynn 2013. Recoginizing Complex Cognition through Innovative Technology in Stone Age and Paleolithic Sites. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 23:163-183.

• Wojtal, et al. 2015. Gravettian hunting and exploitation of bears in Central Europe. Quaternary International 359-360:58-71.