A recent discovery in Gibraltar has unveiled one of the most advanced manufacturing sites of the ancient world: a Neanderthal tar distillation oven dating back 65,000 years. Hidden in Vanguard Cave, part of the UNESCO-listed Gorham’s Cave Complex, this find offers compelling evidence of the technological prowess of our ancient cousins.
Led by the University of Murcia, the research team uncovered a specialized hearth structure where Neanderthals processed tar from resin-rich plants like rockrose (Cistaceae), reports Phys.org. The tar, used as an adhesive to bind stone tools to wooden handles, represents a remarkable innovation that predates similar techniques by modern humans by over 100,000 years.
