Review Article

Evidence for the Paleoethnobotany of the Neanderthal: A Review of the Literature

Table 1

Archaeological contexts and forms of evidence for plant use by Neanderthals at various locations.

LocationArchaeological contextForm of evidenceCitation

Abri des Merveilles, FranceStone toolsStarchHenry et al. [46]
Amud Cave, IsraelSoilPanicles, phytolithsMadella et al. [52]
Douara Cave, SyriaSoilEndocarps, seeds, spodograms, nutletsAkazawa [54]
SoilPollenAkazawa [54]
El Salt, SpainCoprolitesPhytosterol metabolitesSistiaga et al. [20]
El Sidron, SpainDental calculusPhytolithsHardy et al. [33]
Dental calculusChemical compoundsHardy et al. [33]
Dental calculusStarches, acids, pyrolyzed luteinHardy et al. [33]
GeneticsTAS2R38 geneLalueza-Fox et al. [70]
Europe (primarily Germany)ArtifactWooden toolSandgathe and Hayden [60]
Gorham’s Cave, GibraltarArtifactBeach cobblesHenry et al. [46]
SoilPlant remainsBarton et al. [57]
SoilStarchHenry et al. [46]
Italy (central)Stone toolsPitchMazza et al. [63]
Kebara Cave, IsraelSoilAcorns, nutsLev and Kislev [50]; Lev et al. [47]
SoilPhytolithsAlbert et al. [51]
SoilSeedsBar-Yosef et al. [48]; Lev and Kislev [50]; Lev et al. [47]; Hardy [10]
Konigsaue, GermanySoilPitchGrünberg [59]
Kulna Cave, MoraviaDental calculusStarchesHenry et al. [46]
La Quina, FranceStone toolsLarge variety of microremainsHardy [58]; Henry et al. [46]
Moldova I and V, Dniester RiverGrinding stonesUse-wearChernysh [64, 65]; Paunescu [66, 67]
Payre, FranceStone toolsPlant residue including starch grains, plant tissue, raphides, phytoliths, and resinHardy and Moncel [12]
Shanidar Cave, IraqDental calculusPhytoliths, starchesHenry et al. [34]; Henry et al. [46]
SoilStarchSolecki [72]
SoilPollenSolecki [72]
Sima de las Palomas, SpainDental calculusPhytoliths, endosperm, dental caries Salazar-García et al. [26]
Spy Cave, BelgiumDental calculusStarchesHenry et al. [46]
Starosele and Buran Kaya III, CrimeaStone toolsStarches and other plant remainsHardy et al. [68]
Tor Faraj, JordanSoilPhytoliths, seed husksHenry et al. [55, 56]