China News Agency, Beijing, April 10 (Reporter Sun Zifa) An archaeological research paper published in the latest issue of the scientific report of the Natural Science Research Group said that archaeologists found at a site near the Ardèche River in south-central France A piece of 6 mm long string about 41,000 to 52,000 years ago. This is the oldest known direct evidence of fiber technology-using natural fibers to make yarn, and it also enhances people's understanding of the cognitive ability of Neandertals in the middle Paleolithic period (30,000 to 300,000 years ago) .

Corresponding author of the paper is Bruce Hardy of Kenyon College in Ohio, USA. He and his colleagues found this 6 mm long string at the Abri du Maras site in France-twisted from three strands of fiber and attached 60 mm long thin stone.

This piece of rope dating data shows that about 41,000 to 52,000 years ago, archaeological researchers used spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to find that the fibers of the rope may come from the inner bark of non-flowering trees (such as conifers).

Bruce Hardy and others speculated that this piece of string may be wrapped in a stone tool as a handle or part of a stone net or bag. They believe that to make this string, a broad understanding of the growth and seasonality of the trees used is required. In addition, Neanderthals may also need to master certain mathematical concepts and have basic computing skills to make thick ropes composed of fiber bundles (ie, yarn), three strands, and multiple strands.

Prior to this, the oldest fiber fragment found was from the site of Oharo II in Israel, about 19,000 years ago. The latest archaeological discovery of the string from 41,000 to 52,000 years ago not only shows that humans have a longer history of using fiber technology, but also shows that the cognitive ability of Neanderthals may be closer to modern humans than previously thought. (Finish)