New studies show Neanderthals may have been able to create their own fire.

It is well established that Neanderthals used fire, but European researchers think they have found the first evidence that they started their own fires, rather than just obtaining it from natural sources.

Distinctly shaped flint tools, evidence of fires started by striking pyrite (an iron-containing mineral) against flint, have been recovered from numerous Homo Sapiens sites throughout Eurasia. However, no such tools had been found at Neanderthal sites.

Dutch researchers have gone back over previously discovered flint tools that Neandertals had used in other tasks such as animal butchering, looking for signs that they could also have been used to start fires.

The researchers identified mineral traces on the tools which suggest that they had been repeatedly struck with a hard mineral material.

The authors then went on to produce mineral traces on eight replica flint tools by using them in several tasks involving different stony materials, including fire making using fragments of pyrite.

Examining the various traces left on the replica tools during the individual tasks, the authors conclude that traces produced by fire making are the closest match to the traces found on the previously discovered Neandertal tools, which suggests that Neandertals used tools to start their own fires.

The study is accessible here.