Gibraltar study advances our knowledge about how Neanderthals used fire in tool-making

28 May 2025

University of Gibraltar researchers Prof Clive Finlayson, Beacon Professor, Prof Geraldine Finlayson, Research Fellow, Dr Stewart Finlayson, Adjunct Researcher and Dr Alex Menez, Senior Adjunct Researcher, contributed to a research showing that Neanderthals had a complex understanding of fire and how to use it in sophisticated ways, highlighting their ability to plan and carry out advanced tasks.

Image of Gibraltar study advances our knowledge about how Neanderthals used fire in tool-making

Figure 1: Extract from Fig. 7 from Ochando, J. et al. (2024) ‘A Neanderthal’s specilaised burning structure compatible with tar obtention’, Quaternary Science Reviews, 346, article number 109025. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109025

A Neanderthal’s specialised burning structure compatible with tar obtention

The article presents multiproxy evidence of a new type of Neanderthal hearth discovered in Vanguard Cave (VC) (Gibraltar), which is dated to 65 kyr, and associated with Middle Palaeolithic stone artefacts. The hearth structure coincides with predictions from theoretical studies which require the use of heating structures for obtaining birch tar, commonly used in hafting. The article proposes that the structure was used for heating rockroses (Cistaceae) under anoxic conditions by burning herbs and shrubs, over a guano mixed with sand layer. The project team tested this hypothesis experimentally with success. The presence of levoglucosan and retene in the structure’s matrix points to combustion of higher resinous plant-derived material. The results advance the understanding of Neanderthal behaviour, as the ability to organise activities related with the use of fire.

Access the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109025

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