What does Neanderthal rope indicate about our mental abilities?
< 1 minute read
The discovery of Neanderthal rope, made from twisted plant fibers, reveals much more than just a clever tool—it’s a window into their minds. Dating back 50,000 years, this rope-making skill demonstrates that Neanderthals had a sophisticated understanding of their environment, requiring abstract thinking, planning, and problem-solving. These are abilities once thought to be unique to Homo sapiens.
This discovery suggests that the mental abilities we rely on today—like creativity, innovation, and the ability to manipulate natural materials—were shared with Neanderthals. In fact, these skills likely began evolving in a common ancestor around 440,000 years ago. Neanderthals weren’t just surviving—they were thriving, with minds far more like ours than we ever imagined.
Neanderthals made rope by 48,000 BCE indicating the raw cognitive abilities likely evolved on our common ancestor 440,000 years ago.
Michael Alan Prestwood Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
