Ancient Neanderthals Crafted Crystal Scrapers, Revealing an Eye for Beauty

Archaeologists at Abri des Merveilles in Dordogne, France uncovered Neanderthal rock crystal scrapers dating roughly 45,000–80,000 years ago, including a transparent, yellow-tinged tool that may have served as a scraper and point. The find, among a small group of quartz tools made by Neanderthals, suggests they created on-site, displayed discernment in material and form, and possessed an aesthetic sense that challenged early views of Neanderthals as uncreative.