A new study by the Gibraltar museum has discovered that Neanderthals were much more advanced than previous thought, it was revealed this afternoon by Museum Director Professor Clive Finlayson.

A research project carried out in the areas of Gibraltar’s unique Gorham’s cave discovered and examined almost 1800 bones belonging to Rock Doves.

The bones dated back almost 67,000 years, almost double the years former studies had believed Neanderthals had interacted with animals for. The Rock Dove was extraordinarily similar to the common pigeon we are accustomed to today, and the study has proven, through cuts and incisions on the bones of these birds, that they were indeed exploited by Neanderthals in the area.

The findings have been published in the prestigious American scientific journal, ‘Nature’ under the title ‘The Earliest Pigeon Fanciers’. The paper was launched online today at 3pm local time, and has caused a stir within international media, with UK Broadsheets The Times and The Guardian interviewing Professor Finlayson as the news was released.

Statistics from the research showed that out of the bones discovered in Gorham’s cave, incisions occurred on the wing, lower limb bones and sternum 2.22%, 1.77% and 16.67%, suggesting that like modern day humans, Neanderthals enjoyed eating the breast, thighs and wings of the bird. 1.1% of the bones displayed tooth marks, which Professor Finlayson believed to be one of the most remarkable discoveries.

11.58% of the bird specimens showed signs of burning, some of them with double colouring evidence, suggesting that the bones were exposed to fire and indeed cooked. The paper does also state however that ‘it must be taken into account that burning on bone fragments might reflect other types of intentional activities, such as the removal of waste for cleaning purposes, or could be the result of unintended processes, such as accidental burning.’

The study concludes that both Neanderthals and modern humans consumed Rock Doves consistently, as they were birds that did not follow seasonal mating patterns. Formerly, the earliest interaction with animals that Neanderthals were thought to have had, was with wolves, approximately 33,000 years ago.

Interestingly and very fitting for this study, the paper explains that Feral Pigeon is the bird species most associated with humans, ‘having adapted to urban life on all continents.’ The study was carried out over a period of a year and a half. Professor Finlayson insisted that they were next going to look at rabbits, as many remains have also been found in the areas of Gorham's Cave. The scientific paper can be found here.