Revealed: Neanderthals Were Not Just ‘Hypercarnivores’—They Enjoyed a Surprising Diet of Maggots!

Neanderthals had a diet we might find surprising. Recent studies show they didn’t just feast on large mammals or fish. Instead, they likely included something quite unusual—maggots.

This idea comes from research that challenges the old belief that Neanderthals were strict meat-eaters, or “hypercarnivores.” John Speth, an anthropology professor at the University of Michigan, suggests that maggots may have been a staple in their diet. Instead of constantly hunting, they may have stored meat for an extended time, choosing to consume fatty parts and the maggots growing on decaying carcasses.

Traditionally, scientists thought high levels of heavy nitrogen in Neanderthal bones meant they were at the top of the food chain, similar to carnivores like lions. However, Speth points out that this assumption needs rethinking. Neanderthals couldn’t handle as much protein as true apex predators could.

Heavy nitrogen builds up in tissues as animals consume others in the food chain. For example, lions can safely consume much higher amounts of protein than humans. In fact, studies suggest humans can only tolerate about 4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, while lions might manage two to four times that.

Interestingly, some Indigenous cultures today still consume maggots from rotting meat. Researchers like Dr. Melanie Beasley have investigated the nitrogen levels in decomposing meat and maggots. Her studies showed that the nitrogen in maggots was significantly higher compared to the meat itself, indicating that Neanderthals could have boosted their nutrient intake this way.

The findings published in Science Advances shift our understanding of Neanderthal eating habits. Karen Hardy, a prehistoric archaeology professor at the University of Glasgow, emphasizes that contrary to Western notions of food, maggots are a rich source of protein and essential amino acids.

She remarks, “It’s practically a no-brainer for Neanderthals. They could lay out some meat, let it sit, and return for a nutritious harvest of maggots.” This alters our view of Neanderthals as top-level hunters, suggesting they had a more diverse—and practical—diet.

The study’s insights spark a conversation about how we perceive food. With different cultures around the world enjoying a variety of dishes—including those we might not typically consider edible—we can see that Neanderthals were perhaps more innovative in their dietary choices than we previously thought.

For those interested in the topic, you can explore more about human origins in this podcast or find related studies on Neanderthal preferences in food here.

Source link