Archaeologists have unearthed the earliest known multifunctional tool made from cave lion bone, shedding new light on Neanderthal ingenuity. The ancient utensil dates back to the end of the Saalian glaciation, around 130,000 years ago, and consists of four tools carved from a single cave lion tibia, a sort of prehistoric Swiss Army knife.

Published in Scientific Reports, the detailed analysis of the bone revealed signs of deliberate shaping, use and repurposing. It's thought that the tools were first used for tasks such as chiseling and then later broken and reused to shape or sharpen flint tools in a process known as retouching.

The bone tools were discovered in the Scladina Cave in Belgium, which has proven to be a treasure trove of ancient secrets. Previous discoveries include the well-preserved remains of an eight-year-old Neanderthal girl (dubbed the Scladina child), dating to around 127,000 years, as well as thousands of flint tool fragments and the bones of prehistoric animals.

Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis made on a lithic inclusion embedded in a score located in the main use area of Sc1986-1278-160. The spectroscopy highlights peaks of Si and O, which is consistent with the siliceous material. The mapping of Si highlights in purple the targeted lithic chips.

Neanderthals weren't stupid

Although the exact function of some of the cave lion bone tools is unknown, the discovery is clear evidence that Neanderthals were far from the primitive beings popular myth portrays them to be.

"The intentional transformation of lion bones into functional tools highlights Neanderthals' cognitive skills, adaptability, and capacity for resource utilization beyond their immediate survival needs," write the authors in their study of the artifacts.

These latest findings reveal even more about Neanderthal behavior, particularly their interactions with cave lions. Although they coexisted for hundreds of millennia, little is known about their relationship. While some archaeological sites show evidence that Neanderthals skinned and butchered cave lions, this is the first discovery of tools made from the animals' bones.

The multipurpose bone tool suggests that Neanderthals deliberately chose the cave lion tibia because its size, shape and structural integrity made it perfect for performing a variety of tasks.

The authors of the study also note that the sequence of steps used to produce the cave lion bone tool is identical to those used for other implements found in the cave, such as those made from bear bones. This could mean that our ancient cousins didn't attach any symbolic significance to either animal but hunted them purely for practical purposes, such as making tools.

Further research will help clarify the unknown functions of the tibia tool, and comparisons with other Neanderthal sites should provide insights into the prevalence of carnivore bone tool use.

Edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan