Ancient Neanderthal hearths unearth settlement patterns

A research team from Universidad de La Laguna, Spain have uncovered mobility and settlement patterns of Neanderthals by unearthing ancient fire remains. The team conducted their research at the Middle Paleolithic site El Salt in Spain, which contains eleven overlapping and well-preserved open-air hearths. By studying the micromorphology of the layers of earth inside the hearth structures, the team was able to identify how long Neanderthals occupied a settlement. And lipid biomarkers and isotope analysis showed the team what foods were eaten and what fuels were …