Neanderthals hunted massive straight-tusked elephants over thousands of years
In short: An archaeozoological study of 125,000-year-old lake deposits in Germany revealed that Neanderthals actively hunted straight-tusked elephants, which were the largest land mammals of the Pleistocene. The evidence shows that these hominins targeted animals weighing up to 13 metric tons, a practice that persisted for over 2,000 years across many dozens of generations.
This finding suggests that Neanderthals were less mobile than previously thought, operating within social units significantly larger than many scientists had imagined. By analyzing the intensity of butchering activities and nutritional yields, researchers can better understand the complex social structures required to manage such large prey.
The study was based on the largest known assemblage of straight-tusked elephant remains found in Germany. A limitation of the research is that it relies on archaeological remains to infer past behaviors and social structures.
Why it matters: The ability to hunt such massive prey indicates that Neanderthals possessed sophisticated social structures and high levels of cooperation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Gaudzinskiwindheuser et al. (2023). Hunting and processing of straight-tusked elephants 125.000 years ago: Implications for Neanderthal behavior. Science Advances.
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