Scientists Discover New Aspect of Neanderthal Diet

• Neanderthals consumed not only meat but also freshwater fish.
• Male individuals may have been an important part of their diet.
• Cultural practices influenced the nutrition of Neanderthals.

Researchers found that Neanderthals were not just meat-eaters as previously thought. Analysis of chemical residues in their bones indicated that they consumed not only meat but also freshwater fish. New research suggests that an important component of their diet could have been male individuals, which are rich in dietary fat.

Using stable nitrogen isotopes, researchers managed to reconstruct the diet of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. High levels of nitrogen-15 isotope indicate that these creatures may have consumed a lot of meat, however, new studies suggest the possibility of significant contributions from male individuals in this indicator.

Male individuals, which appear after the hunting of animals, may have been a secondary and persistent source of nutrition. Research has shown that the significance of nitrogen isotope in individuals, which live on decomposed tissues, can be several times higher than the significance in herbivorous terrestrial animals.

Cultural practices of Neanderthals, similar to the traditions of indigenous peoples, may explain their high nitrogen-15 indicators, as they could have consumed marine or preserved products. During the consumption of such products, Neanderthals might have obtained additional nutritional resources, which made their diet richer.

Although new data reveal new horizons in understanding the diet of Neanderthals, many questions remain unanswered. Research continues to better understand how individuals influenced the nutrition of ancient humans.

Tags: Research