Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea

M.J.L.Th. Niekus; P.R.B. Kozowyk; G.H.J. Langejans; D.J.M. Ngan-Tillard; H. van Keulen; J. van der Plicht; K.M. Cohen; W. van Wingerden; B. van Os; B.I. Smit; L.W.S.W. Amkreutz; L. Johansen; A. Verbaas; G Dusseldorp

doi:10.1073/pnas.1907828116

Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea

M.J.L.Th. Niekus^*
, P.R.B. Kozowyk
, G.H.J. Langejans
, D.J.M. Ngan-Tillard
, H. van Keulen
, J. van der Plicht
, K.M. Cohen
, W. van Wingerden
, B. van Os
, B.I. Smit
, L.W.S.W. Amkreutz
, L. Johansen
, A. Verbaas
, G Dusseldorp

^*Corresponding author for this work

Coastal dynamics, Fluvial systems and Global change

Stichting STONE
Delft University of Technology
University of Johannesburg
Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE)
Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden Leiden / National Museum of Antiquities Leiden
University of Groningen
Leiden University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

We report the discovery of a 50,000 year old birch tar hafted flint tool, found off the present day coastline of the Netherlands. The production of adhesives and multi-component tools are regarded as complex technologies and take a prominent place in discussions about the evolution of human behavior. This find provides evidence on the technological capabilities of Neandertals, and illuminates the currently debated conditions under which these technologies could be maintained. 14C-AMS dating and the geological provenance of the artifact firmly associates it with a host of Middle Paleolithic stone tools and a Neandertal fossil. The find was analyzed using py-GC/MS, μ-CT and optical light microscopy. The object is a piece of birch tar, encompassing one third of a flint flake. This find is the first from northwestern Europe and complements
a small set of well-dated and chemically identified adhesives from
Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age contexts. Combined with data from experiments and other Middle Paleolithic adhesives we demonstrate that Neandertals routinely mastered complex adhesive production strategies and composite tool use at the northern edge of their range. Large population size is therefore not a necessary condition for complex behavior and technology. The
mitigation of ecological risk, as demonstrated by the challenging conditions during MIS 4 and 3, provides a better explanation for the transmission and maintenance of technological complexity.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	22081-22087
Journal	PNAS
Volume	116
Issue number	44
Early online date	21 Oct 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1907828116
Publication status	Published - 29 Oct 2019

Keywords

Late Pleistocene
adhesive
birch bark tar
hafting
Risk mitigation

Access to Document

10.1073/pnas.1907828116Licence: Other

22081.fullFinal published version, 998 KBLicence: Taverne

116 Citations
3 Article
2 Report
2 Chapter
1 Book
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- 1 Abstract

Opgezogen, Opgespoten en Opgeraapt: Vuurstenen en hardstenen artefacten van de Zandmotor en hun sedimentaire context
Translated title of the contribution: Sucked up, Washed up, and Picked up: Lithic artefacts of the Zandmotor artificial beach and their sedimentary contextNiekus, M. J. L. T., Cohen, K. M., Johansen, L. & Stapert, D., 30 Aug 2023, Amersfoort: Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. 172 p. (Rapportage Archeologische Monumentenzorg; vol. 276)
Research output: Book/Report › Report › Professional

Open Access
File
Noordzee-Neanderthalerlijm: een vondst met diepgang
Translated title of the contribution: North Sea Neaderthal glue: in depth findingsNiekus, M. J. L. T., Kozowyk, P. R. B., Langejans, G. H. J., Ngan-Tillard, D. J. M., van Keulen, H., van der Plicht, J., Cohen, K. M., van Wingerden, W., van Os, B., Smit, B. I., Amkreutz, L. W. S. W., Johansen, L., Verbaas, A. & Dusseldorp, G., 1 Feb 2020.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › Professional
North Sea Prehistory Research and Management Framework (NSPRMF) 2019: Retuning the research and management agenda for prehistoric landscapes and archaeology in the Dutch sector of the continental shelf
Peeters, J. H. M., Amkreutz, L. W. S. W., Cohen, K. M. & Hijma, M. P., Jul 2019, Amersfoort: Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. 86 p. (Nederlandse Archeologische Rapporten; vol. 63)
Research output: Book/Report › Report › Academic

Open Access
File
The North Sea
Cohen, K. M., Westley, K., Erkens, G., Hijma, M. P. & Weerts, H. J. T., May 2017, Submerged Landscapes of the European Continental Shelf: Volume 1 Quaternary Paleoenvironments. Flemming, N. C., Harff, J., Moura, D., Burgess, A. & Bailey, G. (eds.). New York: Wiley, p. 147-186
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File
Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research Programme Maasvlakte 2, Rotterdam: Twenty meters deep! The mesolithic period at the Yangtze Harbour site - Rotterdam Maasvlakte, the Netherlands
Moree, J. M. (Editor), Sier, M. M. (Editor), Boon, J. J., Brinkhuizen, D. C., Bunnik, F. P. M., Cohen, K. M., Cremer, H., Exaltus, R. P., van Kappel, K., Kooistra, L. I., Koolmees, H., de Kruyk, H., Kubiak-Martens, L., Moree, J. M., Niekus, M. J. L. T., Peeters, J. H. M., Schiltmans, D. E. A., Verbaas, A., Verbruggen, F. & Vos, P. C. & 1 others, Zeiler, J. T., 5 Mar 2015, Rotterdam: Gemeente Rotterdam. 343 p. (BOORrapporten; vol. 566)
Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional

Open Access
File

Cite this

Niekus, M. J. L. T., Kozowyk, P. R. B., Langejans, G. H. J., Ngan-Tillard, D. J. M., van Keulen, H., van der Plicht, J., Cohen, K. M., van Wingerden, W., van Os, B., Smit, B. I., Amkreutz, L. W. S. W., Johansen, L., Verbaas, A., & Dusseldorp, G. (2019). Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea. PNAS, 116(44), 22081-22087. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1907828116

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abstract = "We report the discovery of a 50,000 year old birch tar hafted flint tool, found off the present day coastline of the Netherlands. The production of adhesives and multi-component tools are regarded as complex technologies and take a prominent place in discussions about the evolution of human behavior. This find provides evidence on the technological capabilities of Neandertals, and illuminates the currently debated conditions under which these technologies could be maintained. 14C-AMS dating and the geological provenance of the artifact firmly associates it with a host of Middle Paleolithic stone tools and a Neandertal fossil. The find was analyzed using py-GC/MS, μ-CT and optical light microscopy. The object is a piece of birch tar, encompassing one third of a flint flake. This find is the first from northwestern Europe and complements a small set of well-dated and chemically identified adhesives from Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age contexts. Combined with data from experiments and other Middle Paleolithic adhesives we demonstrate that Neandertals routinely mastered complex adhesive production strategies and composite tool use at the northern edge of their range. Large population size is therefore not a necessary condition for complex behavior and technology. The mitigation of ecological risk, as demonstrated by the challenging conditions during MIS 4 and 3, provides a better explanation for the transmission and maintenance of technological complexity.",

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Niekus, MJLT, Kozowyk, PRB, Langejans, GHJ, Ngan-Tillard, DJM, van Keulen, H, van der Plicht, J, Cohen, KM, van Wingerden, W, van Os, B, Smit, BI, Amkreutz, LWSW, Johansen, L, Verbaas, A & Dusseldorp, G 2019, 'Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea', PNAS, vol. 116, no. 44, pp. 22081-22087. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1907828116

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AU - Niekus, M.J.L.Th.

AU - Kozowyk, P.R.B.

AU - Langejans, G.H.J.

AU - Ngan-Tillard, D.J.M.

AU - van Keulen, H.

AU - van der Plicht, J.

AU - Cohen, K.M.

AU - van Wingerden, W.

AU - van Os, B.

AU - Smit, B.I.

AU - Amkreutz, L.W.S.W.

AU - Johansen, L.

AU - Verbaas, A.

AU - Dusseldorp, G

PY - 2019/10/29

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N2 - We report the discovery of a 50,000 year old birch tar hafted flint tool, found off the present day coastline of the Netherlands. The production of adhesives and multi-component tools are regarded as complex technologies and take a prominent place in discussions about the evolution of human behavior. This find provides evidence on the technological capabilities of Neandertals, and illuminates the currently debated conditions under which these technologies could be maintained. 14C-AMS dating and the geological provenance of the artifact firmly associates it with a host of Middle Paleolithic stone tools and a Neandertal fossil. The find was analyzed using py-GC/MS, μ-CT and optical light microscopy. The object is a piece of birch tar, encompassing one third of a flint flake. This find is the first from northwestern Europe and complements a small set of well-dated and chemically identified adhesives from Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age contexts. Combined with data from experiments and other Middle Paleolithic adhesives we demonstrate that Neandertals routinely mastered complex adhesive production strategies and composite tool use at the northern edge of their range. Large population size is therefore not a necessary condition for complex behavior and technology. The mitigation of ecological risk, as demonstrated by the challenging conditions during MIS 4 and 3, provides a better explanation for the transmission and maintenance of technological complexity.

AB - We report the discovery of a 50,000 year old birch tar hafted flint tool, found off the present day coastline of the Netherlands. The production of adhesives and multi-component tools are regarded as complex technologies and take a prominent place in discussions about the evolution of human behavior. This find provides evidence on the technological capabilities of Neandertals, and illuminates the currently debated conditions under which these technologies could be maintained. 14C-AMS dating and the geological provenance of the artifact firmly associates it with a host of Middle Paleolithic stone tools and a Neandertal fossil. The find was analyzed using py-GC/MS, μ-CT and optical light microscopy. The object is a piece of birch tar, encompassing one third of a flint flake. This find is the first from northwestern Europe and complements a small set of well-dated and chemically identified adhesives from Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age contexts. Combined with data from experiments and other Middle Paleolithic adhesives we demonstrate that Neandertals routinely mastered complex adhesive production strategies and composite tool use at the northern edge of their range. Large population size is therefore not a necessary condition for complex behavior and technology. The mitigation of ecological risk, as demonstrated by the challenging conditions during MIS 4 and 3, provides a better explanation for the transmission and maintenance of technological complexity.

KW - Late Pleistocene

KW - adhesive

KW - birch bark tar

KW - hafting

KW - Risk mitigation

U2 - 10.1073/pnas.1907828116

DO - 10.1073/pnas.1907828116

M3 - Article

C2 - 31636186

SN - 0027-8424

VL - 116

SP - 22081

EP - 22087

JO - PNAS

JF - PNAS

IS - 44

ER -

Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Opgezogen, Opgespoten en Opgeraapt: Vuurstenen en hardstenen artefacten van de Zandmotor en hun sedimentaire context

Noordzee-Neanderthalerlijm: een vondst met diepgang

North Sea Prehistory Research and Management Framework (NSPRMF) 2019: Retuning the research and management agenda for prehistoric landscapes and archaeology in the Dutch sector of the continental shelf

The North Sea

Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research Programme Maasvlakte 2, Rotterdam: Twenty meters deep! The mesolithic period at the Yangtze Harbour site - Rotterdam Maasvlakte, the Netherlands

Cite this