Researchers have discovered that Neanderthals, who were humans’ closest known relatives, used to make a type of glue to help craft their tools. This suggests that Neanderthals were cleverer than scientists previously thought.
Neanderthals first emerged more than 200,000 years ago, but they were replaced by modern humans (Homo sapiens) between 35,000 and 24,000 years ago. Experts aren’t completely sure why Neanderthals disappeared, but it’s thought they couldn’t compete with humans for food and other resources.
Recently, a selection of forgotten ancient tools were rediscovered at the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin, Germany. These had originally been found around 1910 at a site in southern France, where scientists believed Neanderthals had lived thousands of years ago.
After examining the tools, researchers found that they had a sticky…
