New evidence suggests Neanderthals were rendering fat nearly 100,000 years before other early humans
From complete bones to tiny fragments. On the Neumark-Nord 2 / 2B sites, the imported bones were initially broken open to extract the marrow from hollow cavities (see A; the arrows indicate that the impacts of Hammerst ‘size on a humenus aurochs). Then, the bones were crushed and cut into smaller pieces (shown in B to F, again from a humerus as seen in A) to facilitate the extraction of fat both spongy and compact bone tissue. About 2,000 tiny bone fragments have accidentally entered into contact with the fire after boiling, causing a typical coloring (ranging from dark brown and black to white) and a texture commonly found in the heated bones. Credit: Kindler, Leiza-Monrepos
Hunting and gathering activities of the first humans required a speed -rich diet composed of a variety of macronutrients – protein, carbohydrates and fat. Although hunting for big game animals – like the deer, horses and animals of the Bovine family – provided a large number of calories at a time, a large part of these calories in the form of protein. However, human and Neanderthal bodies have a limit to the amount of protein intake that the liver can manage.
Scientists believe that protein consumption greater than around 1,200 calories per day for Neanderthals would have led to a form of protein poisoning, called “rabbit famine”, which could be fatal. Since the calorie requirements for the first hunter pickers and the Neanderthals would have been much higher than 1,200 calories per day, they had to find ways to increase their contribution in fat and carbohydrates to survive. In winter and early spring, plants rich in carbohydrates were more difficult to find and fat would have been an important source of survival food.
New archaeological research, published in Scientific advancesProvides evidence that Neanderthals make fats of bones of animals crushed around 125,000 years ago in the Neumark-Nord region in Germany. This is the first proof showing that Neanderthals practiced this type of more sophisticated food transformation.
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Solid bone treatment. At the Neumark-Nord 2 site, near the margin of a shallow pool, there is a dense bone concentration of more than 170 larger mammals (highlighted in blue), mixed with flint artifacts (red) and hammer stones (red). All bones of more than 3 cm were carefully recorded during excavation and drawn together, creating the impression of a “bone floor” produced by Neanderthal activity on the site. Many bones have been found in rounded depressions at the base of the excavation layer, as indicated in the inserts. These depressions represent the final stage of excavation, when most of the bones had already been removed, leaving only the remaining bone fragments. Credit: Kindler, Leiza-Monrepos
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Location of Neumark-Nord (Germany). The position of the site is represented in relation to the maximum extent of the Saalian and Weichselian glaciations. Credit: Kindler et al., SCI. Adv. 11, EADV1257
Before this conclusion, the first proof of this type of fat rendering dated only 28,000 years ago, thousands of years after the disappearance of Neanderthals from the fossil file.
Site researchers have found evidence that at least 172 animals were treated in what they call a “fat”. Most larger animal bones were crushed in small pieces and have shown heating evidence. Most of the bones found in treatment areas were fat -rich bones, such as jaw femurs and bones.
The bones with lower fat concentrations, like those of the feet, were rarer. The authors of the study believe that the Neanderthals boiled the bones to release nutritive fats and may have spread them from the summit for subsequent use.
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Excavations completed of the year. The Neumark-Nord 2B site was searched in the countryside all year round by a basic team from 2004 to 2009, alongside an international field that included more than 175 students in total. Credit: Roebroeks, Leiden Univ
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Examples of cutting marks in the NN2 / 2B wildlife assembly. Images obtained via three -dimensional microscans (Lim Toolscan R360), mode without texture. Credit: Kindler et al., SCI. Adv. 11, EADV1257
While scientists have found no container preserved or direct proof that the bone fragments were boiled, they note that high concentrations of heated bone fragments have been found near charcoal and a source of water. They also mention the possibility that biological perishable containers, made from deer skin or birch bark, could have been used to treat food.
It is still not known how long the site has been used, or if the bones were saved in advance for subsequent treatment, but the evidence found on this site always provides information revealing the sophistication of Neanderthal adaptability and survival methods. More evidence is necessary to determine when these “oily factories” have become common or if it was a more isolated event.
Written for you by our author Krystal Kasal, edited by Stephanie Baum, and verified and revised by Robert Egan – This article is the result of meticulous human work. We are counting on readers like you to keep independent scientific journalism alive. If this report matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You will get a without advertising count as a thank you.
More information:
Lutz Kindler et al, large -scale treatment of intra nutrients by Neanderthals, 125,000 years ago, Scientific advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126 / SCIADV.ADV1257
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