Revealing Ancient Secrets: How Neanderthals Mastered Advanced Food Prep with ‘Fat Factories’ 125,000 Years Ago

Neanderthals, our ancient relatives, lived in what is now Germany around 125,000 years ago. Recent discoveries from the Neumark-Nord site show how they processed animal bones to extract fat, creating a sort of “fat factory.” This process was crucial for their survival.

Archaeologists found thousands of bones from large mammals like red deer and horses. Interestingly, the bones with more marrow were clustered together. This pattern suggests that Neanderthals were strategic in their food preparation. They likely smashed the bones, boiled them for hours, and collected the floating fat. This method provided a rich source of calories, especially important during long winters when food was scarce.

Dr. Lutz Kindler, the first author of the study, points out that this shows Neanderthals managed resources cleverly. They planned hunts, preserved carcasses, and used specific areas for processing the fat. Their understanding of nutrients helped them avoid potential health risks, like protein poisoning, which can occur from a protein-heavy diet without enough other nutrients.

This method of fat extraction previously seemed to originate only 28,000 years ago, making this discovery a significant leap in our understanding of Neanderthal life. They were not just primitive beings; they exhibited advanced skills and knowledge concerning nutrition and resource management.

Dr. Fulco Scherjon, a data manager involved in the study, emphasized the site’s exceptional preservation. It offers a rare glimpse into Neanderthal interactions with their environment, including both animal and plant life.

Interestingly, recent studies also indicate that Neanderthals engaged in activities well beyond mere survival. Evidence suggests they collected seashells to make tools and even buried their deceased with flowers, hinting at their complex social behaviors.

Such findings help reshape our understanding of these ancient humans, suggesting they were innovative and capable of nuanced thought. The Neumark-Nord site represents not just a “fat factory,” but a treasure trove of insights into a fascinating era of human history.

For more on archaeological discoveries and their implications, you can explore Science Advances.

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