Recently, scientists came through a 6-millimetre-long cord fragment, which is said to be made from three bundles of fibres. The 6-millimetre-long cord fragment was found at an excavation site in the south-east of France, according to the news from our sources.
The tiny twine has been used by Neanderthal people between 41,000 and 52,000 years ago. It is the earliest evidence of natural fibres’ spinning yarn, and early proof of a material culture that was enjoyed by the Neanderthals, as we did. In a research published Thursday in the journal Scientific Papers, the incredible finding that the scientists came through was announced.
Our news sources reported that the cord is not just a cord, and it is rather an indication that the Neanderthals created such things and used them as tools in their complex daily life. Other tools may include snares to trap animals, bags for carrying stuff, and nets to catch fish.
The fibres that were used by the Neanderthals were derived from the bark and this suggested that Neanderthals understood the growth and seasonality of conifer trees. Besides this, it also hinted that Neanderthals for sure had a good understanding of Mathematics.
Bruce Hardy, professor of anthropology at the University of Kenyon, was a member of the Cord Discovery Team. He recently informed the news channels that they believed that Neanderthals made string & rope. Pieces of twisted fibres were found on previously discovered tools at the site, added Hardy in one his statements.
“The cord is an example of an infinite use of finite means,” Hardy says. Yarn is made into a string or chain by twisting fibres. A court can be formed by twisting multiple yarns, and multiple courts can form a rope.
“Fiber technology is very similar to language,” he explains. “We can’t have a sentence without words; we can’t have words without sounds that convey meaning,” he added. “The cognitive abilities for making string and rope are very similar to those making language.”
