Final answer:
Painted perforated shells among Neandertal artifacts suggest that Neandertals used body ornaments and engaged in symbolic behavior, reflecting their capacity for abstract thought and cultural practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of painted perforated shells among Neandertal artifacts is evidence that Neandertals used body ornaments and engaged in symbolic behavior. This suggests they had a capacity for abstract thought and cultural practices often associated with Homo sapiens. This is part of the broader evidence of symbolic and artistic expressions found in various hominin species, including but not exclusive to, modern humans. It correlates with other findings such as complex tool creation, elaborate burials, and representational art that indicate cognitive and cultural complexity.