Neanderthals made tools from lion bones
Scientists in Liverpool and Belgium say lion bones found in a cave suggest Neanderthals used the remains of big cat carcasses to make tools.
The bones found in Scladina Cave in Andenne, near Liege, were “intentionally shaped”, making them a unique global find.
The tools, which date back 130,000 years, were initially discovered in the 1980s, but scientific advances have now enabled researchers to link these tools to the cave lion.
Gregory Abrams, an archaeologist at the Scladina Cave excavation, led the study with Kevin Di Modica and Professor Isabelle de Groote, of Liverpool John Moores University's School of Biological and Environmental Sciences.
The fragments of lion tibia were first used as a chisel or intermediate tool, then repurposed as retouchers for the production or maintenance of flint tools.
“This is the oldest known evidence of lion bones being transformed into tools by Neanderthals. It demonstrates their adaptability, their deep knowledge of bone materials and mechanical properties, and a behavioural complexity that remains underestimated,” explains Dr Grégory Abrams.
These suggestions were based on surface striations that still contain residue from materials with which the tools came into contact.
It was already known that Neanderthals made tools from animal bones, but it had never before been demonstrated that they used the carcass of the cave lion, the biggest predator of that era, Kévin Di Modica, deputy director of the Scladina Cave Archaeological Centre, explained.
“The intentional transformation of lion bones into functional tools highlights Neanderthals’ cognitive skills, adaptability, and capacity for resource utilization beyond their immediate survival needs,” the study's authors noted.
In addition to being completely unique, these artefacts reflect a previously unknown type of relationship between Neanderthals and large predators. While the cave lion is typically seen as an ecological competitor, this study shows that Neanderthals were not only capable of defending themselves or even hunting it, but also of strategically exploiting its remains—going well beyond mere survival.
“These tools reflect a structured operational sequence and a deliberate selection of raw materials. The cave lion was not just a threat or a symbol—it was also a valuable resource,” adds LJMU’s Professor Isabelle De Groote, co-author of the study.
The research is published in Scientific Reports.
