Üçağızlı II Cave, Türkiye – Archaeological discoveries at Üçağızlı II Cave in southern Türkiye suggest that modern humans and Neanderthals may have shared a common culture that lasted for more than 20,000 years.

An international team of researchers from Türkiye, France, and Japan, including scientists from Kyoto University, spent five years carrying out millimeter-by-millimeter excavations at the site in search of evidence linked to both species.

The work uncovered signs that both groups occupied the same space and used identical stone tool technologies and survival strategies.

Researchers also found indications that this shared behavior extended beyond practical needs and included the use of non-utilitarian materials.

Both Neanderthals and modern humans selectively collected a specific type of marine seashell that had virtually no value as food and had previously been associated exclusively with modern humans.

The shared preference for a non-utilitarian and potentially symbolic object suggests that cultural exchange may have taken place across species barriers.

“Our findings indicate a deep level of cultural interaction,” said corresponding author Naoki Morimoto of Kyoto University. “These two distinct but closely related human groups were not just adapting to the same environment: they were probably sharing symbolic preferences.”

Modern human fossils recovered from the cave date to between approximately 50,000 and 60,000 years ago, during the pivotal Out of Africa timeframe.

Researchers say the discoveries fill a long-standing gap in the archaeological and paleontological record and could reshape understanding of how early human species interacted, communicated, and shared their worlds.

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