Neanderthal Discoveries in 2025 Reveal New Insights Into Ancient Life

Recent scientific studies in 2025 have provided new information about Neanderthal behavior, diet, and interactions with early humans. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of Neanderthal life and their relationship with Homo sapiens.

Archaeological evidence from Crimea and Ukraine indicates that Neanderthals shaped and resharpened ocher fragments, including a yellow crayon estimated to be about 42,000 years old. Researchers have interpreted these objects as being used for symbolic marking, suggesting complex cognitive abilities among Neanderthals.

A study published in Science Advances documented the use of ocher crayons by Neanderthals in Crimea as far back as 100,000 years ago. The tools, which were sharpened, are considered likely to have been used for drawing or making marks, further supporting the idea of symbolic behavior.

Analysis of a child’s skeletal remains from Skhul Cave, dated to approximately 140,000 years ago, has identified features in the skull and jaw that may indicate a hybrid between Homo sapiens and Neanderthal. This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence on interactions between these two human groups.

What the numbers show

• Ocher crayons used by Neanderthals in Crimea date back up to 100,000 years
• The Skhul Cave child’s remains are estimated at 140,000 years old
• Neanderthals in Germany extracted marrow fat from bones 125,000 years ago
• A yellow ocher crayon from Crimea is about 42,000 years old

Dietary studies have suggested that Neanderthals likely consumed maggots, which are fly larvae found in decaying meat. This behavior may explain the elevated nitrogen isotope levels observed in Neanderthal remains, which were previously thought to indicate a diet consisting mainly of large amounts of meat.

Further research published in Science Advances has shown that Neanderthals in Germany extracted marrow fat from animal bones around 125,000 years ago. This finding points to advanced methods of food processing and resource use among Neanderthal populations.

Genetic and microbiological research has indicated that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens likely exchanged saliva, inferred from shared oral bacteria lineages. This evidence supports the possibility of close contact, such as kissing, between the two groups. Independent reporting has confirmed these findings based on oral microbiome studies.

Overall, scientific discoveries in 2025 have expanded knowledge about Neanderthal behavior, diet, and interactions with early humans. These results provide a more detailed picture of the complexity of Neanderthal life and their connections to modern humans.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.