Neanderthals near modern Barcelona may have organized living spaces like humans, with separate sleeping and communal areas.
Neanderthal living spaces organized
Archaeologists have discovered that Neanderthals living near present-day Barcelona organized their living areas in ways similar to modern humans. The rock shelter at Abric Romaní, used between 110,000 and 40,000 years ago, shows signs of spatial organization, with evidence suggesting they separated sleeping areas from communal spaces.Charcoal analysis reveals spatial patterns
The study used anthracology, the analysis of charcoal remnants, and statistical mapping of charcoal fragments to understand how Neanderthals used space. Smaller hearths against the back wall were surrounded by fewer remains, likely indicating sleeping areas, while larger central hearths had more debris, suggesting they were used for communal activities.Charcoal placement suggests storage and cleaning
In the southern part of the shelter, small concentrations of charcoal were found that did not match any known hearth location, hinting that these areas may have been used for storage. Meanwhile, the northern part had more charcoal concentrated within hearths, indicating that Neanderthals regularly cleaned their living areas by removing ashes and debris.Fire used to structure social spaces
The findings suggest that Neanderthals used fire not only for survival but also to shape their social environments. This behavior mirrors modern human practices, adding to the growing evidence that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens shared more similarities than previously believed.
