Neanderthals were probably maggot-munchers, not hyper-carnivores

Recent research challenges the long-held belief that Neanderthals were exclusively carnivorous. Previous studies suggested that Neanderthals primarily consumed meat based on nitrogen isotope ratios in their bones. However, a new study proposes an alternative explanation, indicating that Neanderthals may have had a more balanced omnivorous diet that included a significant portion of maggots and plant-based foods.

According to Melanie Beasley from Purdue University, maggots were a readily available and nutrient-rich food source for ancient societies. Historical evidence suggests that maggots were a common dietary component in various cultures, with some communities even considering certain types of maggots a delicacy.

The study of nitrogen isotopes, specifically nitrogen-14 and nitrogen-15, in collagen inside fossil bones provides insights into the dietary habits of organisms. Higher nitrogen-15 to nitrogen-14 ratios are typically associated with carnivorous diets. However, Neanderthal bones exhibited even higher ratios than expected, leading to the misconception that they were hyper-carnivores focused on large game hunting.

Contrary to this belief, evidence from studies on Homo sapiens from the same period suggests that high nitrogen ratios do not necessarily indicate a solely meat-based diet. In fact, a diet excessively rich in protein, such as lean meat, can have adverse health effects due to the body’s inability to process toxic byproducts effectively.

Further investigations reveal direct evidence of plant consumption by Neanderthals, challenging the notion of their exclusive carnivorous diet. The elevated nitrogen ratios in Neanderthal bones could be attributed to various factors, including the storage, processing, and consumption of meat, as well as the ingestion of maggots.

Recent studies by researchers like John Speth and Julie Lesnik suggest that the consumption of maggots and larvae could explain the anomalous nitrogen isotope patterns observed in Neanderthals and ancient Homo sapiens. The decomposition of muscle tissue and the subsequent feeding of maggots on decaying matter contribute significantly to nitrogen enrichment.

This groundbreaking research sheds light on the dietary habits of our ancient ancestors and challenges traditional views on Neanderthal nutrition. The integration of maggots and rotten meat into the paleo diet narrative emphasizes the importance of considering diverse food sources in understanding prehistoric diets.

Neanderthals, ancient humans and cave art: France

Embark on a captivating journey through time as you explore key Neanderthal and Upper Palaeolithic sites of southern France, from Bordeaux to Montpellier, with New Scientist’s Kate Douglas.