Experiments reveal that Neanderthals used rhino teeth as hammers

Archaeologists often turn to experimental archaeology to gain insights into the lives of ancient peoples, including Neanderthals. This fascinating field typically involves recreating the processes of making stone tools or butchering animals. However, a recent study took an unusual approach, focusing on the use of rhino teeth as tools—a practice once thought to be exclusive to human innovation. Researchers aimed to determine whether Neanderthals utilized rhino teeth in their toolkit, prompting an investigation into the remains found at various archaeological sites across Europe and Asia. Surprisingly, many sites yielded an abundance of rhino teeth, suggesting these ancient humans had a specific purpose for collecting them. Neanderthals had hunted a now-extinct rhinoceros species, and evidence shows that at the Panxian Dadong cave site in southern China, a staggering 74% of the rhino remains were teeth, while at Payre in France, teeth constituted 91% of the fossil record. This unusual predominance raised questions about the role of these teeth in Neanderthal life. The teeth bore distinctive markings that resembled the damage seen from bone being used as a hammer, with shallow pits and overlapping cracks indicative of repeated impacts. These findings led to a deeper inquiry into the potential for rhino teeth to have served as tools in Neanderthal societies. To confirm their hypotheses, a team led by University of Aberdeen archaeologist Alicia Sanz-Royo engaged in their own experiments, attempting to replicate the tool-making processes using actual rhino teeth. However, they faced significant challenges in acquiring these teeth due to the strict protections surrounding the endangered species and the regulations governing the trade of rhino parts. Their work promises to shed light on the sophisticated tool use of Neanderthals and expand our understanding of their daily lives.