That model has been substantially revised, though not entirely abandoned.

The discoveries that have driven the revision include evidence for pigment use at multiple Neanderthal sites, the recovery of perforated shells and eagle talons that appear to have been used as ornaments, and the dating of cave art at Spanish sites to periods before modern humans arrived in the region — suggesting, though the evidence is contested, that Neanderthals may have been involved in creating it.

On the other side, some researchers continue to argue that the clearest evidence for symbolic behavior among Neanderthals may reflect contact with modern humans — that the occasional Neanderthal use of ornaments or pigments was acquired through interaction rather than independently developed.

This debate is important because it affects how we interpret the Shanidar burials.