News Archaeology

Neandertals may have built a hearth specifically to make tar

Specialized fire structures found in a Gibraltar cave could have produced sticky resin

The opening of a cave along an ocean coast.

Researchers have found what appears to be remnants of a complex fire structure in Vanguard Cave in Gibraltar (shown), which Neandertals may have used to make tar from nearby plants.

Javier Trueba/MSF/Science Source

By Richard Kemeny

Neandertals really knew their way around a fire. In a sea cave sheltered from the blustery winds of Gibraltar, our ancient cousins created a hearth capable of making tar from nearby plants, a new study suggests.