Archaeologists have learned about the Neanderthals' use of bones to skin animals.

Archaeologists have studied a bone fragment found on the territory of Abry du Mar and found that it was used by Neanderthals about 130-114 thousand years ago as a tool for skinning animals. This was reported by Scientific Reports magazine.

The instrument is a fragment of the left femur of a deer, about 13 cm long and slightly less than 3 cm wide. The object was carefully treated, as a result of which traces remained on its surface, indicating use for skinning. It is specified that smoothed areas with curved edges and signs of wear were found on the bone.

The quantitative analysis of the surface texture confirms that the tool was used specifically for skinning, and not for other purposes.

During the study of the surface, experts revealed such characteristics as the depth and density of micro—scratches - this indicates prolonged contact with soft materials. This discovery confirms the hypothesis about the use of animal skins for skinning purposes.

The importance of such a find, as specified, lies in the fact that it opens up new ways to study the Neanderthal culture and their ways of survival in the conditions of that era.

It is emphasized that this bone tool serves as an important example of the use of natural resources by Neanderthals for their daily lives. Quantitative analysis of bone surfaces helps to study in detail the functions of tools, which allows for a deeper understanding of Neanderthal methods of hunting and processing materials.

Earlier, on November 13, Science Daily magazine reported the discovery of new Neanderthal footprints on the Algarve coast in Portugal. The age of the tracks is approximately 78-82 thousand years. It was clarified that five trails with 26 footprints were recorded on Monte Clerigue beach, which belong to adults and children a little over a year old. And on the beach of Telleiro, a single footprint was found, which probably belongs to either a teenager or an adult woman.

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