When Neanderthals used cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) remains: Bone retouchers from unit 5 of Scladina Cave (Belgium)

Evidence of Neanderthals using bear remains as retouchers is rare. In the sedimentary unit 5 of Scladina Cave (Belgium; Weichselian Early Glacial, MIS 5d to 5b), twenty-six bone retouchers have been discovered. Among these, six have been made from cave bear bones (four from a femur and two from two tibiae). The presence of lithic splinters, still embedded in grooves, can be convincingly associated with their function as knapping tools. Particularly interesting are six bone fragments, including four fragments used as retouchers and two unused splinters, which have been refitted together to reconstitute an almost complete cave bear femur diaphysis. These specimens present modifications in the form of cut marks, scraping marks, impact notches and typical fractures of percussions on green (fresh) bone, sometimes overlapping each other, that allow for a complete understanding of the operational sequence in the production of bone retouchers at this site. The identification of a sophisticated operational sequence, where each action succeeds another in the production of a bone tool, is a major argument in favor of predetermination that guided the Neanderthal actions, and is similar to that described for stone tool chaîne opératoire.