45,000-Year-Old Crystal Tool Suggests Neanderthal Aesthetic Sensibility

A 45,000-year-old crystal tool found at an archaeological site challenges the perception of Neanderthals as cognitively limited, suggesting they may have valued materials for aesthetic reasons. The finding is based on the artifact's material and craftsmanship, though the interpretation of aesthetic intent remains inferential. This contributes to ongoing debates about Neanderthal cognitive capabilities and cultural complexity.