A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science Advances, involving researchers from the University of Bordeaux and the University of Michigan, is revising our understanding of Neanderthal dietary habits. Contrary to the long-held belief that Neanderthals were exclusively hypercarnivores, subsisting solely on fresh meat from large game, new evidence suggests they incorporated maggots and decaying meat into their diet. This finding offers a more nuanced perspective on their adaptability and survival strategies.
For years, high levels of nitrogen-15 found in Neanderthal remains led scientists to believe they consumed vast quantities of meat, surpassing even contemporary carnivores like lions and wolves. However, this interpretation presented a paradox, as such a diet could lead to protein poisoning. The new research, led by biological anthropologist Melanie Beasley and senior author John Speth, proposes that elevated nitrogen-15 levels could be attributed to their consumption of maggots, which accumulate high levels of the isotope from decaying flesh. Beasley's experiments analyzing nitrogen-15 in decomposing human tissue and maggots showed significantly higher concentrations in the maggots. This aligns with Speth's earlier hypothesis that prehistoric diets might have included partially decomposed meat teeming with maggots. Historical parallels, such as Knud Rasmussen's 1931 observations of Inuit people consuming spoiled, maggot-rich meat, support this theory, highlighting that what might seem unappetizing to modern Westerners was a practical and nutritious food source for ancient populations. Maggots are a concentrated source of protein, fat, and essential amino acids, making them a valuable dietary supplement. Archaeological evidence also indicates Neanderthals were adept at meat processing and storage, which could have led to maggot infestation, providing a readily available, high-fat food source, particularly in colder climates.
This re-evaluation of Neanderthal diets underscores their ingenuity and adaptability. Far from being solely brute hunters, Neanderthals demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of their environment and a willingness to utilize all available resources. Their ability to derive sustenance from decaying meat and larvae paints a picture of resourceful survivors who embraced nature's offerings, challenging long-held assumptions and enriching our understanding of human evolution.