Artist’s concept of a Neanderthal unrelated to the study. (Photo 16882486 © Marcos Souza | Dreamstime.com)

CANBERRA, Australia — Deep in the foothills of northeastern Spain, international archaeologists have uncovered evidence that’s reshaping our understanding of humanity’s closest relatives. Abric Pizarro, one of only a few sites worldwide dating from 100,000 to 65,000 years ago, reveals how Neanderthals survived during one of Earth’s harshest cold periods; a time when massive ice sheets covered much of Europe and average temperatures plunged far below what we experience today.

Scientists previously thought this region was too hostile for permanent settlement during this intense cold period, with extreme drought and bitter cold making long-term survival seemingly impossible. However, new findings published in the Journal of Archaeological Science tell a different story that challenges the old stereotype of Neanderthals as primitive cavemen who could barely survive, let alone thrive.

The rock shelter, discovered in 2007, sits nestled in a valley about 2,300 feet above sea level near the villages of Vilamajor and Tartareu. This natural refuge measures roughly 115 feet long and 21 feet deep, providing significant protection from the elements. Within its layers, researchers found multiple periods of Neanderthal occupation, each separated by times when the shelter wasn’t used. These distinct layers, like pages in a history book, tell the story of repeated successful settlements in the area.

“Our surprising findings at Abric Pizarro show how adaptable Neanderthals were,” says lead author Dr. Sofia Samper Carro from The Australian National University, in a statement. “The animal bones we have recovered indicate that they were successfully exploiting the surrounding fauna, hunting red deer, horses, and bison, but also eating freshwater turtles and rabbits, which imply a degree of planning rarely considered for Neanderthals.”

Using modern excavation techniques, they documented every artifact larger than a centimeter with 3D plotting technology. While this made the work extremely slow with some nearby sites having been under excavation for over 20 years, it provided unprecedented insight into how Neanderthals used the space and organized their daily lives.

The excavation yielded an impressive collection of over 29,000 carefully mapped artifacts, including stone tools and animal bones. Researchers also recovered more than 305,000 tiny fragments smaller than a penny. These weren’t just random pieces; each one helped tell the story of how these ancient people lived.

“The bones on this site are very well preserved, and we can see marks of how Neanderthals processed and butchered these animals,” notes Dr. Samper Carro.

The site’s location proved crucial to understanding why Neanderthals chose this particular spot. When scientists analyzed ancient pollen grains preserved in the shelter’s layers, they made a surprising discovery. Instead of finding evidence of a barren Ice Age landscape, they found signs of a diverse environment dominated by evergreen oak trees and other Mediterranean plants. This suggests the area served as a refuge. It may have been a pocket of relatively mild conditions while much of Europe shivered under harsh glacial conditions. The varied landscape would have provided different resources throughout the year, from forest products to animals that preferred open grasslands.

“Through the bones that we are finding, which display cut marks, we have direct proof that Neanderthals were capable of hunting small animals,” explains Dr. Samper Carro.

This evidence challenges widespread beliefs that Neanderthals only hunted large animals like horses and rhinoceros. The diversity of their prey, from nimble deer and mountain goats to horses and large wild cattle, shows they could successfully track and hunt different kinds of animals across varied terrain. The presence of turtle remains also suggests they knew how to exploit seasonal resources when available.

“Our analysis of the stone artifacts demonstrates variability in the type of tools produced, indicating Neanderthals’ capability to exploit the available resources in the area,” says Dr. Samper Carro.

The oldest layers show they used one method to shape stone tools, while later periods reveal different techniques, suggesting they innovated and adapted their technology over time. The tools themselves show careful craftsmanship, with different types clearly made for specific purposes.

“This is one of the most interesting things about this site, to have this unique information about when Neanderthals were alone and living in harsh conditions and how they thrived before modern humans appeared,” explains Dr. Samper Carro.

While Neanderthals disappeared around 40,000 years ago shortly after modern humans arrived in the region, they had successfully inhabited Europe for almost 300,000 years prior. Site evidence also helps explain why they chose to call this spot home. The rock shelter provided excellent protection from the elements, while its position in the valley offered good visibility of the surrounding area, crucial for both hunting and safety. The nearby water source would have attracted animals and provided a reliable supply of fresh water, making it an ideal base camp for these ancient people.

The research team’s findings suggest that rather than struggling to survive, these Neanderthals had developed sophisticated strategies for living in their environment. They understood seasonal patterns, knew when and where to find different food sources, and adapted their hunting and tool-making techniques accordingly. This level of environmental knowledge and adaptability suggests they possessed cognitive abilities far more advanced than previously believed.