Neanderthals and Homo sapiens Shared Shell Trinket Culture in Turkey

New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens at Üçağızlı II cave in Turkey collected the same non-edible snail shells (Columbella rustica) as ornaments, suggesting shared cultural traditions. Lead author İsmail Baykara (Gaziantep University) notes remarkable continuity in technology, hunting, and bead transport over 30,000 years. Neanderthals occupied the cave 77,000–59,000 years ago, followed by Homo sapiens 59,000–47,000 years ago. Both species hunted similar game and made comparable stone tools. Some shells were perforated, heated for color change, or polished from wear. Co-author Naoki Morimoto (Kyoto University) calls this evidence of shared symbolic preferences. Similar findings at Tinshemet Cave in Israel reinforce the pattern. The study challenges previous assumptions about Neanderthal-Homo sapiens relations and suggests cultural interaction, possibly including co-existence or interbreeding.