Neanderthals in Europe hunted turtles for shells, not food, study suggests

An intriguing archaeological study published in Scientific Reports offers a fresh perspective on Neanderthal behavior in central Europe, challenging previous assumptions about their dietary habits. The findings from the Neumark-Nord site in Germany suggest that Neanderthals were more resourceful and perhaps more nuanced in their resource utilization than previously thought.

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Our data provide the first evidence that Neanderthals also hunted and processed turtles north of the Alps, beyond the Mediterranean region.

The research, led by Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser, indicates that Neanderthals were carefully processing turtle shells, evidenced by cut marks on the inner surfaces. This meticulous butchering, after removing limbs and organs, points towards a deliberate use of the shells themselves. The study's authors have largely ruled out turtles as a significant food source, especially given the abundance of larger prey animals at the site.

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With a weight of around one kilogram, pond turtles have a comparatively low nutritional value. However, they are relatively easy to catch and may therefore have been hunted by children. Their shells may then have been processed into tools.

This discovery sheds light on the complex survival strategies of Neanderthals, suggesting their activities extended beyond mere caloric intake. The possibility that children were involved in hunting these smaller, less calorically dense animals, and that their shells were utilized for tools or other unknown purposes, paints a more sophisticated picture of Neanderthal society and their interaction with the environment. It highlights their ecological flexibility and innovative approaches to resource management.

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Our current results shed new light on the ecological flexibility and complex survival strategies of Neanderthals, which went far beyond simple caloric maximization.