Belgium: Discovery of tools made from lion bones dating back to 130,000 BC

According to a VNA correspondent in Brussels, a groundbreaking archaeological discovery recently announced in Belgium has identified tools made from the bones of cave lions, the largest prehistoric predator, in Scladina cave, in the town of Sclayn, Namur province.

According to the research team at the Scladina Cave Archaeological Center, these tools date back to around 130,000 BC, during the period when Neanderthals lived in the Andenne area.

Although the artifacts were found in the 1980s in the main archaeological layer of the cave, it was only recently, thanks to modern scientific analysis, that archaeologists were able to determine their exact origin.

The bone fragments had previously been stored without any in-depth study, said Grégory Abrams, the archaeologist in charge of the excavation at Scladina Cave.

During a review of the specimen archive, he subjected these bones to analysis and, using proteomic analysis techniques, based on the remaining proteins, the team determined that the tools were made from the shin bones of a cave lion.

Analysis revealed that these were actually bone chisels, used by Neanderthals to hammer stone blades into the shape of tools or weapons. Scratch marks left on the bone surface, which contained traces of the material the tools had come into contact with, provided the basis for this conclusion.

This is the first time in the world that scientists have discovered evidence that Neanderthals used the remains of cave lions, one of the largest carnivores in Europe at that time, to make tools.

Previously, archaeological evidence had recorded Neanderthals using the bones of many other animals for crafting, but there had never been any records related to cave lions.

Mr. Kévin Di Modica, Deputy Director of the Scladina Cave Archaeological Center, affirmed the unique nature of this discovery and said that this is a big step forward in the study of the relationship between Neanderthals and large prehistoric carnivores.

Scladina Cave is now one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites in Belgium, and one of the few sites that allows the public to visit and directly observe the excavations.

Research activities here have continued to this day, starting in 1978. Notable discoveries include the remains of the “Scladina child,” a Neanderthal girl of about 8 years old discovered in 1993, including a lower jaw, part of an upper jaw, and several teeth.

In addition, many tools made from the bones of other animals such as bears, rhinos, bison, reindeer and horses were also found here, showing the level of crafting and exploitation of natural resources of Neanderthals at that time.

According to Mr. Grégory Abrams, the researchers are currently reviewing all the previously stored bone fragments. He believes that many specimens that were overlooked in the past may reveal important information when analyzed in the light of modern technology.

With ever-deepening advances in the fields of archaeology and molecular biology, he believes that the future still holds many amazing discoveries waiting to be deciphered.

The discovery of cave lion bone tools at Scladina Cave not only sheds new light on Neanderthal crafting techniques, but also contributes to expanding understanding of the relationship between humans and prehistoric animals.

As archaeological analysis technology continues to develop, relics that seemed to have lain dormant for tens of thousands of years may continue to tell unfinished stories about humanity's past.

This is not only a step forward for science, but also a reminder of the eternal value of history and the endless journey of human discovery./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/bi-phat-hien-cong-cu-lam-tu-xuong-su-tu-nien-dai-130000-nam-truoc-cong-nguyen-post1053933.vnp