Human smarts got a surprisingly early start
Our ancestors’ ingenuity enabled long-distance treks and artistic endeavors
NEANDERTAL ART Red horizontal and vertical lines painted on a Spanish cave’s walls may date to at least 64,800 years ago. Homo sapiens had not yet reached Europe, so researchers propose Neandertals created the art.
© P. SAURA
Archaeological discoveries reported this year broadened the scope of what scientists know about Stone Age ingenuity.