Neanderthals butchered a 7,700-pound elephant in Germany
One day over 120,000 years ago, a resourceful group of Neanderthals successfully took down a 7,700-pound ancient elephant in Germany. This discovery by paleoanthropologists confirms that this kill is the first known scene of its kind, solving a nearly 80-year-old mystery. According to a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, Neanderthals had the skills to hunt Europe’s largest megafauna, including elephant ancestors.
In 1948, a group of amateur paleontologists, led by a local school headmaster, found the remains of a 125,000-year-old straight-tusked elephant in northern Germany. This specimen of Europe’s largest land mammal was found in sediment from the last interglacial period. The discovery also included a wooden spear, made by Neanderthals, raising questions about its use in hunting the elephant.
After 78 years, a closer examination of the elephant’s remains revealed clear signs of butchering by Neanderthals. The researchers identified multiple cut marks on the ribs and vertebrae, indicating the removal of organs and collection of meat and fat. The site also contained bones from various animal species, suggesting diverse hunting strategies by Neanderthals.
Further evidence of Neanderthal hunting skills was found in the remnants of an extinct wild cattle variant called an aurochs, also butchered at the site. The discoveries shed light on Neanderthal culture, tools, and hunting techniques, providing a crucial building block in understanding their abilities.
Ivo Verheijen, a study co-author and bioarchaeologist, explained that Neanderthals at Lehringen Lake pursued diverse hunting strategies and needed not only meat but also bone marrow and fur. Thomas Terberger, another study co-author and archaeologist, highlighted the advanced hunting skills of Neanderthals, comparable to modern humans 125,000 years ago.
