https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/29/science/neanderthal-complete-fingerprint-stone-art-scli-intl


Researchers in central Spain say they may have
uncovered one of the most ancient symbolic
objects bearing a human fingerprint on record
in Europe, dating back tens of thousands of years.
...
Unlike other artifacts found in the shelter, this
pebble was unique: It appeared to have no
functional use and had a peculiar red dot that
intrigued the researchers.

“We felt that the red dot had something, I don’t
know what … and the only way we could know there
was a fingerprint was to contact the main specialist
in Spain (for) finding fingerprints,” Herrero said.
“That’s why we contacted the police.”

With the help of experts working in crime scene
investigations with Madrid’s forensic police corps,
the researchers were able to confirm that a
fingerprint existed within the dot.

But the police were initially skeptical about the
find. “They are used to identifying fingerprints
that are very recent, from 2 days, 1 week, 1 month.
But 43,000 years ago — it was very weird and very
difficult for them,” Herrero said.
...


https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-025-02243-1
More than a fingerprint on a pebble: A pigment-marked
object from San Lázaro rock-shelter in the context of
Neanderthal symbolic behavior

Abstract
The pebble discovered in the San Lázaro
rock-shelter (Segovia, Central Spain) is the oldest
known non-utilitarian object with a fingerprint made
in Europe. Its morphology and the strategic position
of an ocher dot, where a dermatoglyphic image has
been detected, may be evidence of symbolic behavior.
This object contributes to our understanding of
Neanderthals’ capacity for abstraction, suggesting
that it could represent one of the earliest human
facial symbolizations in Prehistory. All the analyses
carried out suggest an intentional effort to transport
and paint the pebble for non-utilitarian purposes,
suggesting that it is indeed the work of Neanderthals.
The discovery is doubly exceptional because it
includes the most complete dermatoglyphic image
identified to date, with the exception of the partial
fingerprint from Königsaue, both with a comparable
minimum age. This dermatoglyphic image is not visible
and it was revealed after a multispectral analysis.
This method adds significant value to the
identification that has been carried out of the human
fingerprint, as it is the first time that such an
analysis has been conducted with evidence as ancient
as this, opening the door to future research and
discoveries.

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