Neanderthal woodworking at Abric Romaní: Insights into the role of wood in a Middle Palaeolithic domestic context
Wood technology likely played a key role in human evolution, yet it remains poorly documented because organic materials rarely preserve in archaeological contexts. The Middle Palaeolithic site of Abric Romaní (Capellades, Barcelona) provides exceptional evidence of Neanderthal woodworking preserved through travertine incrustation. We document 597 wooden imprints and charred wood remains recovered from 16 archaeological levels dated between ∼62,000 and 40,000 years ago. The assemblage includes wood imprints, charred wood imprints, and charred macroremains, among which several anthropogenic objects can be identified. These include tools and weapons, domestic artifacts, and structural elements, revealing a wide range of woodworking activities. Key discoveries include wooden spears, pointed sticks, and domestic objects such as trays and tripods. A club-like artifact recovered from level P represents a unique object with no clear parallel in the prehistoric record. The Abric Romaní assemblage highlights the importance of wood within Neanderthal technological systems and provides previously unknown insights into the role of organic materials in Middle Palaeolithic societies.
