A bone tool used by neanderthal for flaying carcasses at the Abri du Maras (France)
Journal: Scientific Reports
Year: 2025

Bone tool use is a hallmark of hominin behavioral evolution, yet its significance in Pleistocene contexts remains underexplored. We present a multi-method analysis of a bone fragment from Abri du Maras (Marine Isotope Stage 5, France), integrating qualitative use-wear assessment with quantitative 3D surface texture analysis via confocal microscopy and discriminant modeling. Results indicate that smoothing on the tool's tip is anthropogenic in origin rather than taphonomic, and originated from re