New research from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP) sheds light on the dietary habits of our extinct cousins, the Neanderthals. The study, published in the journals Journal of Human Evolution and Quaternary International, reveals a surprising mix of meat and plant matter on the Neanderthal menu.
For years, scientists assumed Neanderthals followed a similar carnivorous diet as other predators of their time. However, a detailed analysis of collagen – a protein found in bones – from Neanderthal remains tells a different story. Led by Professor Dr. Hervé Bocherens, an international team examined bones from two Belgian excavation sites dating back 45,000 to 40,000 years.
The sites yielded a treasure trove of animal remains, including mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, wild horses, reindeer, and even predators like hyenas, bears, and lions. Interestingly, isotope analysis of the Neanderthal collagen revealed a dietary preference distinct from these fellow inhabitants of the Ice Age.
“We found that Neanderthals primarily feasted on large herbivores like mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses,” explains Dr. Bocherens. This preference stands in stark contrast to other predators who typically targeted smaller prey like reindeer or bison. It seems Neanderthals had a taste for the biggest game in town.
But Neanderthals weren’t just giant-meat-eaters. By studying the isotope composition of individual amino acids within the collagen, the researchers discovered that plant matter comprised a surprising 20% of their diet. This finding settles a long-standing debate within the scientific community about the Neanderthal’s dietary diversity.
“For the first time,” says Dr. Bocherens, “we can quantify the amount of plant-based food consumed by these late Neanderthals. Interestingly, similar findings have been observed in early modern Stone Age humans.”
This research not only sheds light on Neanderthal eating habits but also contributes to the ongoing investigation into their extinction around 40,000 years ago. Dr. Bocherens suggests, “The accumulating evidence indicates that diet may not have been the key factor in their disappearance, paving the way for modern humans.”
The study by the HEP team offers a more nuanced picture of the Neanderthal diet, revealing a surprising mix of meat and plant-based sustenance. This newfound knowledge can help us piece together a more complete story of these fascinating ancestors.
Source: Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum