Neanderthals roamed the Earth between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago, across most of Eurasia. New methods of analyzing ancient biological molecules have allowed researchers to examine ancient DNA and proteins they didn't even know still persisted.
Pieces of twisted wood fiber attached to a modified stone flake found in France suggest that at least some Neanderthals knew how to make rope. Excavations have also revealed that Neanderthal shells were sometimes pierced and worn and may have looked like LUKA.