Neanderthal 'Fat Factory' Dates Back 125,000 Years

Archaeologists have found that Neanderthals at the Neumark-Nord site in Germany systematically processed animal bones to extract fat as early as 125,000 years ago, using methods such as boiling bones to render calorie-rich grease. This operation involved at least 172 large mammals and produced tens of thousands of bone fragments, along with evidence of stone tools and fire use. The rendered fat was crucial for survival, especially when carbohydrates were scarce, and helped prevent protein poisoning. The discovery pushes back the timeline for complex food processing and resource intensification by nearly 100,000 years, far earlier than previously documented for humans. These findings challenge outdated perceptions of Neanderthals as primitive hunters and demonstrate their advanced planning, resource management, and culinary skills. The study reshapes our understanding of Neanderthal intelligence and adaptability.