Manganese Oxide
Manganese oxide is a dark colored mineral that was used in the Stone Age as a pigment, such as the cave paintings of Lascaux. Experiments show that afgeraspt manganese oxide powder on wood interspersed can help ignite wood fire because it reduces considerably the flash point of 350 degrees to 250. Addition of the powder thus accelerates the ignition.
Archaeological finds of this oxide in fire places and evidence of crushing blocks confirm that it was used for making fire. The use of fire has many advantages which outweigh the additional energy that is required for the collection of these cubes. The symbolic and social value of fire should not be underestimated.
Cognition
The use of manganese oxide in making fire is not known to contemporary hunters and gatherers. It is knowledge which has been lost in the course of time. This finding may have significance for our understanding of the cognitive abilities of Neanderthals.
The use of this non-combustible material by itself does not lie in front of the hand. The knowledge and understanding that this use of manganese oxide shows surprising; It is a break with the expertise that was previously attributed to Neanderthals.
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