A new investigation into a collection of ancient animal skulls discovered in Spain’s Des-Cubierta Cave is shedding light on a peculiar practice by Neanderthals between . The cave, excavated since , has yielded a significant assemblage of Mousterian stone tools – a tool culture closely associated with Neanderthals in Europe – alongside an unusual concentration of skulls, primarily from horned animals.
Researchers cataloged the remains of at least 35 individual animals, with 28 identified as bovines, five as deer, and two as rhinoceroses. Notably, the collection consists almost entirely of skulls, with few other skeletal elements – jawbones, limbs, and even cheekbones – present. This selective accumulation of crania is rare in the archaeological record, prompting a team led by archaeologist Lucía Villaescusa of the University of Alcalá in Spain to investigate the circumstances of their deposition.
The study, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, focused on understanding how the skulls ended up in a narrow gallery within the cave. The team analyzed the spatial distribution of geological debris and archaeological artifacts, reassembled fragmented bones, and assessed the preservation state of the remains. Their findings indicate that the accumulation wasn’t a single event, but rather the result of repeated activity over a prolonged period.
Initial geological analysis revealed a rockfall introduced debris into the gallery. Crucially, the placement of the skulls occurred *after* this rockfall, suggesting the Neanderthals weren’t simply scavenging from a natural deposit. Instead, they were actively carrying the skulls into the cave and depositing them in distinct phases. The separation between these depositional layers indicates a deliberate, ongoing practice rather than a one-time occurrence.
The deliberate nature of this behavior is further supported by evidence that the skulls were not simply discarded. All of the skulls came from animals that had horns or antlers, and all showed signs of having been modified by human hands in some ways, either with tools or through the application of fire, according to research from Ancient Origins. This suggests a level of intentionality beyond simply collecting readily available bones.
While the exact purpose of this behavior remains a mystery, the researchers emphasize the structured and repeated nature of the practice. “The integration of geological, spatial, and taphonomic data demonstrates that the accumulation of large herbivore crania was not a single depositional event, but rather the result of repeated episodes embedded within a long-term process of gallery use,” the researchers write. This sustained activity points towards a culturally significant practice, potentially offering a glimpse into the symbolic world of Neanderthals.
The discovery builds on previous research highlighting the cognitive capabilities of Neanderthals. A separate study, detailed by Nature in , revealed that Neanderthals collected dozens of skulls of large mammals in a cave in central Spain, which researchers described as a unique example of complex “symbolic” behavior. This earlier finding, along with the Des-Cubierta cave evidence, challenges the traditional view of Neanderthals as solely focused on survival and suggests a capacity for abstract thought and ritualistic practices.
The researchers acknowledge that definitively understanding the motivations behind this behavior is likely impossible. However, the repeated pattern of skull deposition suggests a deliberate and structured practice, potentially linked to hunting rituals, ancestor veneration, or other symbolic beliefs. The fact that the Neanderthals consistently selected and transported skulls – rather than entire skeletons – further emphasizes the significance of the cranium itself.
The Des-Cubierta cave findings add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the complexity of Neanderthal culture. While the precise meaning of their actions may remain elusive, the deliberate accumulation of animal skulls provides a compelling indication of their cognitive abilities and potential for symbolic expression. As archaeologist Lucía Villaescusa and her team note, this sustained and reiterated behavior “highlights the structured and transmitted nature of this practice, adding a significant piece to the broader discussion on the complexity and symbolic potential of Neanderthal cultural expressions.”
