Archaeological findings reveal Neanderthals operated a ‘fat factory’ 125,000 years ago in what is now Germany, smashing bones to extract essential fat during seasons when carbohydrates were scarce. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the Neanderthals’ advanced food preparation methods. Researchers discovered thousands of bones from at least 172 large mammals at the Neumark-Nord site, indicating the use of a systematic approach to extract fat-rich marrow. This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence that Neanderthals were not only capable of complex planning but also had a deep understanding of their environment and how to extract valuable nutrients from their food sources.
The Neumark-Nord site, a former lake landscape, provides a unique glimpse into the daily lives and dietary habits of Neanderthals from the interglacial period. The presence of marrow-rich bones in clusters suggests that these were specific processing sites where Neanderthals would have worked to extract fat efficiently. This process involved using tools to break bones into smaller pieces and boiling them to separate the grease from the bone material. The extracted fat, being calorie-dense, would have been crucial for survival during harsh winters and early springs when other food sources were scarce.
This revelation challenges previous assumptions about Neanderthal dietary habits and resource management. Prior to this study, the earliest known evidence of fat extraction by Neanderthals dated back to around 28,000 years ago. The discovery at Neumark-Nord pushes this timeline back by nearly 100,000 years, indicating that Neanderthals had mastered this technique far earlier than previously thought. The ability to efficiently extract and preserve fat likely played a vital role in their adaptation to the changing climatic conditions of their time.
Dr. Lutz Kindler, the study’s first author, emphasized the significance of this finding, noting that the Neanderthals were not only managing resources with precision but also demonstrating an understanding of the nutritional value of fat. ‘They understood both the nutritional value of fat and how to access it efficiently,’ he said, highlighting the strategic and planned nature of their food preparation methods.
Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of environmental factors in shaping Neanderthal survival strategies. As the climate fluctuated, Neanderthals may have adapted their hunting and food processing techniques to ensure long-term sustenance. The Neumark-Nord site’s exceptional preservation offers valuable insights into how these early humans interacted with their surroundings, providing a rare opportunity to study their impact on both animal and plant life over such a vast timescale.
Scientists have also uncovered other intriguing aspects of Neanderthal behavior, including their use of seashells for tool-making and potential burial practices involving flowers. These findings collectively paint a picture of Neanderthals as resourceful and adaptive, capable of complex planning and environmental awareness. The Neumark-Nord site and similar discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of human evolution and the sophisticated strategies employed by our ancient relatives in their quest for survival and sustenance.