The National Museum of Nature and Science (Director: Makoto Manabe) will hold the Kohaku NEWS exhibition "Neanderthals and Modern Humans Shared Values" from Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to Sunday, September 6, 2026.

A joint research group consisting of 3 researchers from domestic research institutions, including Wataru Morita, Chief Researcher at the Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, National Museum of Nature and Science, and 8 researchers from overseas institutions, discovered fossils of both Neanderthals and modern humans during excavations in the Republic of Turkey. They announced their research findings and a press release*Note 1 in early July 2026 in collaboration with Kyoto University.

This research revealed that Neanderthals and modern humans maintained a stable common culture for over 20,000 years. They produced stone tools using the same methods and had the same food procurement strategies. Furthermore, both collected specific types of shells that were not suitable for consumption, indicating that the commonality of their culture extended beyond practical aspects to the collection of non-utilitarian natural objects.

It is believed that the exchange between these two groups was the background for such cultural commonality, and the basis for that exchange was the sharing of values beyond species, as evidenced by the collection of shells that were "beautiful but not useful."

This NEWS exhibition will clearly explain the research content through panels, and will display a replica of a Neanderthal child's lower jawbone (first public display) and beads made from spiral shells (of the same species as the excavated shells).

In addition, the excavation site will be introduced through video and photographs.

Scenes from the excavation site in the Levant region where Üçağızlı II Cave is located

Exhibition Overview

[Organizer] National Museum of Nature and Science

[Period] Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - Sunday, September 6, 2026

[Venue] National Museum of Nature and Science (7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

Earth Hall, Basement 2F, Hallway of the Human Evolution Corner

[Reference Information]

<Press Release>*Note 1

Neanderthals and Modern Humans Shared Values - Evidence Found of Both Collecting "Beautiful" Shells -

Link: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/news/albums/abm.php?d=5389&f=abm00022251.pdf&n=20260707_press.pdf

<Paper Title and Authors>

Long-term cultural continuity across the Neanderthal–modern human sequence at Üçağızlı II Cave, northern Levant

Link: Long-term cultural continuity across the Neanderthal–modern human sequence at Üçağızlı II Cave, northern Levant | PNAS

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 展示会