May
11
/ 2026
A new study has revealed that Neanderthals possessed an unexpected and highly durable tool in their kits: the teeth of prehistoric rhinoceroses. Marks found on fossilized rhino teeth discovered in caves across France and Spain suggest these ancient hominids used the massive molars as multipurpose, heavy-duty tools. This fascinating discovery provides further evidence of Neanderthal ingenuity, showing they used these robust teeth as anvils and hammers for shaping stone tools and processing materials like vegetable fibers or animal hides. About 100,000 years ago, Neanderthals coexisted with several species of rhinoceros in Europe, including the narrow-nosed rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus hemitoechus). The recent research, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, suggests that these hominids deliberately selected rhinoceros teeth for their hardness, robustness
