The excavation of the archaeological site in Germany took place from 2004 to 2009 and was conducted by researchers from Roebroeks/Leiden University. Stone Age humans residing near a lake in what is now Germany were found to have systematically processed animal carcasses to extract fatty nutrients, essentially operating a large-scale “fat factory” where bones were boiled. This discovery was made through the analysis of 120,000 bone fragments and 16,000 flint tools unearthed over several years at a site called Neumark-Nord, located south of Halle. The findings were published in a study in the journal Science Advances. Evidence of fire use was also found alongside the artifacts.
It is believed that Neanderthals, an extinct human species that inhabited the area as far back as 125,000 years ago, used stone hammers to smash marrow-rich bones into fragments, which were then boiled for hours to extract the fat. This operation would have required planning hunts, storing carcasses, and rendering fat in a designated area, providing insights into the group’s organization, strategy, and survival skills. The researchers, including Wil Roebroeks, a professor of Paleolithic archaeology at Leiden University, emphasize that this discovery challenges the misconception that Neanderthals were unintelligent.
Recent archaeological findings have shown that Neanderthals were more sophisticated than previously thought, engaging in activities such as making yarn and glue, engraving bones and walls of caves, and creating jewelry from eagle talons. The study suggests that Neanderthals at the German site may have had a sophisticated approach to nutrition as well, understanding the nutritional value of bone grease they produced.
The Neanderthals at the site over a 300-year period appeared to recognize the importance of fat in their diet. A balanced diet for hunter-gatherers like Neanderthals required some fat intake, as relying solely on lean meat could lead to protein poisoning, a severe form of malnutrition. The research highlights the significance of fat consumption for Neanderthals weighing between 50 and 80 kilograms, as they needed to balance their protein intake to avoid adverse health effects.
The researchers found that a vast majority of remains at the site originated from 172 individual large animals, including horses, deer, and aurochs. Neanderthals specifically selected the longest bones with the most marrow. The method by which Neanderthals processed the bones remains unclear, with possibilities including the use of containers made from birch bark, animal skins, or other materials to extract the fat. It is believed that Neanderthals may have consumed the fat in a broth with added plants for flavor and nutrition. Evidence of hazelnut, acorn, and sloe plum remnants was also uncovered during excavations.
The findings shed light on the sophisticated planning and resourcefulness of Neanderthals, highlighting their ability to maximize the use of available resources. Archaeologists express excitement over the confirmation of Neanderthals’ innovative techniques in processing bone fats. The Neumark-Nord site stands out as a prime example of bone-grease rendering during the Stone Age, showcasing Neanderthals’ prowess as skilled hunters and ecologically adaptable beings.
The discovery has been lauded as a significant contribution to understanding Neanderthal behavior and survival strategies. Renowned archaeologists emphasize the importance of the findings at Neumark-Nord, describing it as a pivotal moment in unveiling the practices of Neanderthals in bone-grease rendering.
