Neanderthals May Have Used Eagle Talons for Symbolic Decorations

Neanderthals and modern humans share a lot of characteristics: they use tools, they wear clothes, and they both wear jewelry. Yep, Neanderthals wear jewelry as well. But unlike their predecessors, the Homo sapiens, Neanderthals harvest their accessories manually, such as this recent find in Spain where an eagle talon dated 39,000 years ago was found.

A SYMBOLIC DECORATION

According to this recent study published in Science Advances, this lone eagle toe bone is the most modern known talon use among the species. This is a welcome discovery in the field of archaeology because although Neanderthal cultural activities are widespread, this is the first time that an artifact that existed during the time of the Neanderthal and is hypothesized to be used by these species for symbolic reasons is found in the Iberian Peninsula.

Neanderthals are known for their cave paintings and clothing made from feathers, and it is most likely where modern humans got the trait from. Through an e-mail to Gizmodo, Antonio Rodriguez-Hidalgo, co-author of the study, explains: "The evidence of symbolic behavior-in burials, art, or for personal adornment-among archaic human species is scarce. Each new find is a new piece of the great puzzle. The findings of Foradada cave, in Spain, represent the most recent case of use of eagle talons as ornaments by the Neanderthals."

Rodriguez-Hidalgo may not have found the eagle talons in Foradada Cave, but they found indirect evidence in one single phalanx or a toe bone. The researchers then analyzed specific cut marks they found in the talons and hypothesized that the talon was extracted manually, and this set of bone came from the left leg of a Spanish Imperial Eagle—which is a favorite among Neanderthals because of their significance. 

However, the researchers are not sure whether or not these talons were used to sculpt necklaces or if they were worn as earrings, bracelets, and jewelry, in general. But, Rodrigo-Hidalgo is convinced that this is important. "These ornaments transmitted a message that the members of the group could understand and that other Neanderthals, at least from southern Europe, could understand," he said in an e-mail to Gizmodo. 

DOUBTS FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

Although this find is celebrated among the archaeology circle, there is no doubt a group that will doubt it. Such is the case with David Frayer. 

Frayer claims that some scientists are not convinced that the Chatelperronian layers are linked to Neanderthals. He also adds that the inability to find actual talons is what makes this study a bit unconvincing. If found, it would have been more informative because the cut marks to the toe bone do not mean much. He is convinced the marks on the phalanx may be brought on by butchering. However, it seems he contradicts his statement by stating the fact that Neanderthals don't eat eagles. 

It seems Frayer and his colleagues have been focusing on Neanderthal studies and pieces of jewelry. As a matter of fact, they were able to publish a Neanderthal study with relatively more proof set in the Krapina cave in Croatia. Their study details their discovery of several eagle talons found within the cave.