Neanderthal Fingerprint

It is impossible to confidently impute intentionality on something so ambiguous. Modern peoples use ochre mixed with fat or oil as body decoration, hair decoration or as a sun-block. Neanderthals could have used it for the same purposes and the fingerprint be entirely incidental.

The pebble was carried intentionally from the river bed to the rock shelter so we know that it served a purpose, albeit likely different to the other pebbles that were incised and of a different size. The authors of the article argue that the pigment was applied intentionally. I agree that the evidence suggests this is so, but without more stylised or incised facial features, we can’t interpret it definitively as a ‘pebble figurine’, although that hypothesis can’t be ruled out either.

Here are some incised pebbles in the Museum of Yarmukian Culture at the Neolithic site of Sh’ar Hagolan. They have been interpreted as ‘pebble figurines’. Around one hundred of these incised pebbles were found at the site. It’s a long jump from 8,000 years ago to 43,000 years ago, yet Neanderthal people would have been capable of this sort of thing.

https://www.myc.org.il/en/the-museum-of-yarmukian-culture/

Are we so sure those grooves weren't for wraping twine around or something like that. Could easily be a primative textile tool of some sort?

Exactly! What do these ‘figurines’ mean to the people who handle and view them today? Are they mythical goddesses or fairies? Imaginary sisters, role models, fashionistas or princesses?

In fact, some of the world’s leading material culture archaeologists and anthropologists have discussed how people understand and use these modern ‘figurines’ such as Barbie dolls, and Disney themed dolls. For the handler, miniaturisation of human like form imbues the figurine with power. 

Our brains function in much the same way as our early ancestors. The huge numbers of figurine and partial figurine finds from every century, all around the world show that people have had a long lasting and enduring fascination with figurines and they can view them in a multiplicity of complex ways. 

I'm always struck by just how ordinary these people are. I saw one archiologist put a baseball cap on the reconstruction of a neanderthal face and I thought to myself "haven't I seen him in sainsbury's." It's a reminder of how much of what makes us us is our technology. If tomorrow all the world had a powercut how long before most people are back to painting cave walls. Not long I'd wager.

We are still making little sculptures of women to decorate our living spaces with for sure.

I wonder what future archiologists will make of these.

I'm always struck by just how ordinary these people are. I saw one archiologist put a baseball cap on the reconstruction of a neanderthal face and I thought to myself "haven't I seen him in sainsbury's." It's a reminder of how much of what makes us us is our technology. If tomorrow all the world had a powercut how long before most people are back to painting cave walls. Not long I'd wager.

We are still making little sculptures of women to decorate our living spaces with for sure.

I wonder what future archiologists will make of these.

Exactly! What do these ‘figurines’ mean to the people who handle and view them today? Are they mythical goddesses or fairies? Imaginary sisters, role models, fashionistas or princesses?

In fact, some of the world’s leading material culture archaeologists and anthropologists have discussed how people understand and use these modern ‘figurines’ such as Barbie dolls, and Disney themed dolls. For the handler, miniaturisation of human like form imbues the figurine with power. 

Our brains function in much the same way as our early ancestors. The huge numbers of figurine and partial figurine finds from every century, all around the world show that people have had a long lasting and enduring fascination with figurines and they can view them in a multiplicity of complex ways.