Neanderthals may have feasted on maggots

New research reveals that Neanderthals may have consumed maggot-infested meat as a food source.

Neanderthals may have relied on maggots for survival

A recent study suggests that maggot-infested meat was integral to the diet of Neanderthals, who likely consumed it as a means of survival. Researchers from Purdue University have discovered that the nitrogen levels in Neanderthal remains indicate a high intake of protein. This finding supports the idea that these ancient humans might have relied on decaying meat, similar to practices of some indigenous communities today, to obtain necessary nutrients. The presence of maggots in the remains signals a unique dietary adaptation not seen in other carnivores, raising questions about Neanderthal eating habits during the Late Pleistocene era.

This study sheds light on the potentially complex diets of Neanderthals, challenging previous notions that they simply hunted large game. By incorporating strange sources, such as maggots, these ancient hominins may have developed strategies to thrive in harsh environments. The connection with modern indigenous dietary practices may reveal deeper insights into the cultural behaviors of our ancestors. Understanding this can illuminate how nutrition needs drove adaptations, highlighting the cleverness of Neanderthals beyond mere survival tactics.

Highlights

These insights may reshape our understanding of human evolution and dietary practices.