Old notions of ancient man are falling fast, with archaeologists working in southern Spain dropping a bombshell. Or, in this case, a painted shell. They report that Neanderthals were making and using makeup thousands of years ago, with decorative shells being used for storing these cosmetics.1

From their first discovery in the 1800s, Neanderthals have been caricatured as dumb, brutish semi-humans. But discovery after discovery challenges these old stereotypes. This latest study follows many other reports that Neanderthal remains and artifacts do not fit the traditional brutish caricatures. For example, reworked teeth and decorated bone awls of the Châtelperronian culture of France were made by Neanderthals.

The researchers in Spain found evidence that Neanderthals manufactured and stored (and thus surely wore) makeup. Decorative marine shells (from the oyster, Spondylus gaederopus) contained the mineral lepidocrocite mixed with hematite and pyrite. The scientists also found a lump of pure natrojarosite (an iron mineral sometimes used in ancient cosmetics) which they said was once stored in a purse or bag—Neanderthal fashion accessories!2

Consider for a moment what that means. If you were living back then, could you free up enough time for yourself to search for new rock types, study them, experiment with them, and derive new chemical compounds from them? The fact that they were not only surviving, but that they had enough time and energy left over to devote themselves to such frivolous activities indicates a high level of sophistication and intelligence.

There is more recent news about ancient cosmetics. We know the ancient Egyptians purposefully manufactured laurionite and phosgenite as fine powders for use in makeup and eye lotions. These two lead-containing compounds are not found in nature, and are toxic at high levels. But when applied to the skin they amplify the production of nitric oxide, which plays a vital role in stimulating immunological defenses. Apparently, the ancient Egyptians knew that small quantities of these non-naturally-occurring, lead-based compounds could be used to prevent eye and skin infections.3

What does this all mean? It means ancient man, whether Neanderthal or Egyptian, was intelligent, resourceful, and industrious. Thus the archaeological and anthropological evidence fits the Bible’s history beautifully.4 Believe it or not.

1. Zilhão J., et al. 2010. Symbolic use of marine shells and mineral pigments by Iberian Neanderthals. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA) published online January 11, 2010.
2. www.physorg.com/news182439329.html
3. Tapsoba I., et al. 2010. Finding out Egyptian gods’ secret using analytical chemistry: biomedical properties of Egyptian black makeup revealed by amperometry at single cells. Anal. Chem. 82(2):457-460.
4. For more info, see creation.com/anthropology