Did Neanderthals teach modern humans about tools?

[jakeXT]

Until now, scientists believed modern humans taught the Neanderthals how to make tools, but a bone tool found in a cave in France may suggest otherwise.

PARIS — Researchers have found what they say are specialized bone tools made by Neanderthals in Europe thousands of years before modern humans are thought to have arrived to share such skills, a discovery that suggests modern man's distant cousins were more advanced than previously believed.

In a paper published online Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers discuss their discovery of four fragments of bone in southwestern France that they say were used as lissoirs, or smoothers, to make animal hides tougher and more water-resistant.

The researchers believe the oldest tool is 51,000 years old, and the other three are between 42,000 and 47,000 years old. Similar tools are still used by leather workers to this day.

Until now, scientists have believed that modern humans taught the Neanderthals how to make the tools, but modern humans are believed to have reached central and western Europe only 42,000 years ago.

http://news.msn.com/science-technology/did-neanderthals-teach-modern-humans-about-tools

I remember hearing that some Neanderthal tools were superior
(22 minute mark)

[Wounded Bear]

1. Once again, the M$M applies a misleading headline...

Neanderthals were using tools for thousands of years before 'modern' humans even existed. Now, it's quite possible that modern humans taught them some new refinements and such, which this article seems to indicate did not happen in this case, but the blanket statement that 'scientists think modern humans taught Neanderthals about tools' is a bit of an over reach.