Neanderthal woodworking at Abric Romaní: Insights into the role of wood in a Middle Palaeolithic domestic context.

Neanderthals at Abric Romaní used wood for tools, weapons, and domestic objects, with 597 preserved imprints revealing diverse woodworking activities from 62,000 to 40,000 years ago.

• Why it matters: Understanding organic material use in the Middle Palaeolithic is limited due to poor preservation, yet it is crucial for comprehending Neanderthal technological and social behaviors.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed 597 wooden imprints and charred remains from 16 archaeological levels using microscopic and contextual methods, identifying tools, weapons, and structural elements.
• The result: Findings demonstrate the significant role of wood in Neanderthal life, including unique artifacts like a club, expanding knowledge of their technological complexity and organic material use.