Not like different megafauna species, such because the mammoth, the position of the rhinoceros within the subsistence methods of prehistoric human teams and the relationships they maintained with those animals throughout the Paleolithic stays poorly understood. They didn’t simplest function a supply of meals: they have been additionally figures represented in cave artwork, such because the well-known artwork within the Chauvet cave (Ardèche, France), greater than 30,000 years in the past.
Artwork in Chauvet Cave, France. Wikimedia Commons., CC BI
The hot discovery of bizarre rhinoceros teeth marks from the Paleolithic web page of Paire within the Rhône Valley – dated between 250,000 and 130,000 years in the past – has raised an intriguing query: may just those marks be the results of planned human task?
Using bones of huge herbivores as equipment for refining and sprucing stone equipment is definitely documented in Europe from the early phases of the Paleolithic. Rhinoceros tooth also are commonplace stays at Paleolithic websites in Europe and Asia, however few research have to this point prompt that they are going to were intentionally accrued and utilized by prehistoric human teams.
Location of archaeological and paleontological websites studied on this paper. Map created the use of KGIS 3.40.6, ESRI (Environmental Programs Analysis Institute) base map information. Sanz-Roio et al., 2026. Fractures and bizarre tracks
Greater than 200,000 years in the past, at websites corresponding to Paire in southeastern France and Panxian Dadong in China, archaeologists have discovered loads of rhinoceros tooth, some with repeated fractures and unconventional floor markings.
Those observations precipitated analysis via the RINO challenge to analyze whether or not extra rhinoceros tooth have been used as equipment in different rhinoceros-rich assemblages from the similar duration throughout Europe. May just this constitute a in the past unknown Neanderthal habits?
That is the primary complete interdisciplinary analysis in this matter, combining the research of fossil stays with archaeological experiments on fashionable rhinoceros tooth. This provides a singular alternative to match lines produced experimentally lately with the ones preserved within the archaeological document.
Analysis means
As a part of the RINO challenge, we tested twelve archaeological websites in accordance with their context, proof of human task, and the abundance of rhinoceros tooth provide of their faunal assemblages. In two of them we discovered changed rhinoceros tooth: within the El Castillo cave (Spain) and in Pesh-de-l’Aze II (France).
A complete of 281 tooth belonging to the steppe rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus hemitoechus) (https://en.vikipedia.org/viki/Narrov-nosed_rhinoceros) and the Merck rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus–kirchberg) have been analyzed at those Center Paleolithic websites. This final species represents the biggest fossil rhinoceros recognized in Europe for this era.
Representation of Stephanorhinus hemitoechus, which lived within the Eu Pleistocene. Wikimedia Commons., CC BI
With a view to identify a comparative framework that may permit us to tell apart herbal adjustments from changes probably made via people, dental stays from archaeo-paleontological websites in Western Europe and osteological collections of recent rhinos also are integrated.
In overall, we tested 168 rhinoceros tooth from 4 Pleistocene archaeo-paleontological websites: Wasserbillig (Luxembourg), Oetrange (Luxembourg), Cova del Rinoceront (Spain) and Les Plumettes (Saone-et-Loire, France). As well as, 236 tooth from a comparative assortment saved within the Gallery of Comparative Anatomy of the Nationwide Museum of Herbal Historical past (MNHN) in Paris have been analyzed.
Dental microwear analyzes have been additionally performed on fossil rhinoceros tooth to decide whether or not the marks seen may well be the results of chewing and commonplace feeding actions reasonably than human intervention.
Scientists check present tooth
The principle element of the challenge used to be devoted to experimental archaeology. The use of rhinoceros molars and premolars as have an effect on equipment in managed experiments performed via skilled archaeologists, the analysis workforce tried to create a complete reference number of experimentally produced footprints and determine the imaginable purposes and usefulness of those equipment.
Instance of actions performed in archaeological experiments and comparable merchandise. A–C: have an effect on actions reproduced on this paintings: A) quartz retouching; B) knocking flint; C) anvil-like teeth with a quartz scale. D–E: Lithic fabrics used within the paintings: D) rhinoceros teeth retouched flint and retouching flakes; D) quartz flake retouched with a rhinoceros teeth. Sanz-Roio et al., 2026.
The experimental program used to be performed with 18 fashionable rhinoceros tooth. They have been utilized in putting actions, which integrated retouching, carving and use as anvils on quartz and flint equipment. The function used to be to file lines of human task and examine them with the ones seen within the archaeological document.
Compelled volunteers, on the dentist within the zoo
Some of the greatest demanding situations in doing so used to be acquiring fashionable rhinoceros tooth for experiments. After an exhaustive seek and with the assistance of Alexis Lecu (veterinarian MNHN), 3 zoos agreed to give you the tooth: Zoo Peaugres (Ardeche), African Reserve Sigean (Aude) and Zoo Montpellier (Herault).
As well as, a sequence of experiments used to be evolved – on the Laboratory of Taphonomy in Madrid (LeaT laboratory) – with the purpose of reproducing within the laboratory the herbal processes, corresponding to abrasion and sedimentary compaction, to which the tooth could also be subjected throughout fossilization.
The consequences published that the markings known in El Castillo and Pesh-de-l’Aze II have been very similar to the ones produced throughout archaeological experiments. Additionally, microwear research showed that those tracks have been shaped after the animals died, as no indicators of feeding have been detected within the tracks.
The use of tooth as percussion tools
We will due to this fact conclude that the footprints known at the rhinoceros tooth from El Castillo and Pech-de-l’Aze II are the manufactured from human task. Neanderthals used tooth as have an effect on equipment within the manufacturing of lithic equipment (flint and quartz).
Their morphological traits – measurement, weight, ease of manipulation, flat occlusal floor and fracture resistance – may have made them in particular appropriate for technical use.
Then again, in accordance with the level of teeth put on seen, it seems that that Neanderthals most well-liked the ones of older rhinoceroses. It’s imaginable that their flatter teeth surfaces made them extra appropriate as equipment. As well as, they are going to have serious about older people as a result of they may well be more uncomplicated prey or as a result of they approached them after they have been lifeless, like scavengers.
Unknowns to be solved
This find out about expands our figuring out of Neanderthal habits, their technical selections, and the number of uncooked fabrics they accrued and used, whilst offering new proof for the exploitation of animal assets. However, on the identical time, the invention raises many new questions that stay unsolved for now.
What does this discovery upload to our figuring out of Neanderthals and their courting with the surroundings? What have been your methods for acquiring (looking, cleansing, taking pictures) and exploiting the rhino? Had been they the similar for all species of rhinoceros that existed throughout those classes in Europe? Did their morphological, behavioral and ecological traits, in addition to their availability in several habitats, affect those behaviors?
It is usually these days unclear whether or not this used to be a basic or particular habits of Neanderthal teams in Western Europe.
We imagine it not likely that the usage of rhinoceros tooth as uncooked subject material used to be a habits restricted in time and house. This discovery opens up new views at the breadth, serve as and imaginable symbolic size of this custom. Because of this, we will be able to continue with a basic evaluation of rhinoceros dental stays from more than a few Paleolithic websites within the gentle of those new observations.
