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What Did Neanderthals Eat? Uncovering the Ancient Diet of Early Humans
Ever wondered what Neanderthals, who lived approximately 250,000 to 40,000 years ago, ate to survive? Recent archaeological discoveries are shedding light on the diverse diet of these early humans. From hunting large game to foraging for plants, Neanderthals had a unique approach to nutrition. Let’s dive into the fascinating findings and explore what fueled the lives of our ancient ancestors! 👇
We know that Neanderthals and other prehistoric humans ate a variety of things.
Contrary to what we might think, alongside mammoth and other animal meats, they also had diverse tastes.
You might ask, “Didn't they only eat raw red meat?” But during those times, there were also those who adopted a completely plant-based diet along with seafood.
Just like modern humans, what Neanderthals ate daily varied based on environmental conditions and geographical locations. In other words, they had to adapt their diet to the ecosystem.
Archaeologists found evidence of animals killed in some parts of Eurasia where Neanderthals lived before Homo sapiens.
They hunted animals like mammoths, deer, and wild horses, as well as lions and bears. In a 2017 study, dental plaque accumulated on a Neanderthal's teeth was examined, and it was concluded that their diet was largely 'meat-based,' consisting mainly of woolly rhinoceroses and wild sheep.
However, when Neanderthals near the El Sidrón cave in Spain were examined, very different findings were revealed.
The diet of these individuals contained almost no meat; instead, they had adopted a plant-based diet.
We also know that coastal-dwelling Neanderthals frequently consumed seafood.
Archaeological remains in Portugal show that many seafood items from the coast were used as food. In addition to this, it has been suggested that Neanderthals practiced cannibalism. Fossilized bones of Neanderthals found in caves in Europe revealed that their flesh was stripped after death. In both cases, Neanderthals typically consumed animal meat along with seafood, mushrooms, nuts, and occasionally the flesh of their own kind.
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