‘Fat factory’ run by Neanderthals foundThey boiled bones to extract fat 1.25L years ago
admin July 08, 2025 07:22 PM
Ancient humans living near a lake in present-day Germany, around 1.25 lakh years ago, operated a large-scale "fat production" facility, where they extracted nutrients from animal bones.
Archaeologists discovered evidence of this ancient industry by analyzing thousands of bone fragments and stone tools found at the Neumark-Nord site. The team believes that Neanderthals likely used stone hammers to break open the bones, then boiled them to extract fat, which was then skimmed off the surface. The archaeological team analyzed over 120,000 bone fragments and 16,000 flint tools found at the site, which provided valuable insights into the lives of ancient humans. The evidence suggests that Neanderthals systematically processed animal carcasses to extract fatty nutrients, which were likely used for food, lighting, and other purposes. Finding highlights resourcefulness and organizational skills of these ancient humans, who planned hunts, transported carcasses, and designated specific areas for processing. Agencies
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