One problem with the pumice raft. You don't want to catch it at the launch point.
What really made Neanderthals go extinct:
Ogg: Look, fellows! That volcano is really looking serious. Let's swim away from here. Otherwise, all our people will die.
Gugg: Swimming is a lot of work. Let's wait until we get a pumice raft to float on.
What is pumice?
"Dust my pumice!"