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Prehistoric Neanderthal Diets Were Maggot Heavy, a New Study Suggests
UNITED STATES, JUL 25 – Research led by Purdue University reveals Neanderthals regularly ate meat with maggots, supported by chemical bone analysis indicating frequent consumption of putrid animal tissue.
- On Friday, the study published in Science Advances found maggots were likely a staple in prehistoric diets, conducted by scientists at Purdue University and the University of Michigan.
- Analyses of late Pleistocene bones revealed nitrogen isotope levels akin to hyenas and wolves, challenging the theory of hominin hypercarnivory.
- Stable isotope analyses on 389 fly larvae revealed nitrogen values up to 43.2% higher than decomposed tissue, demonstrating maggot nutrient richness.
- Experts responded that `opened a fascinating line of inquiry`, said Wil Roebroeks, while `no brainer`, said Karen Hardy.
- According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, at least 2 billion people consume insects traditionally, and Melanie Beasley noted northern latitude groups safely process maggot-rich foods.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Outside, the wind is frozen and the temperature is around zero degrees, but inside the cave a group of Neanderthals is sheltered around the fire. On flat stones, adults, children and even some old people wait for a piece of gazelle to finish cooking that same morning. There are no pots or spoons, but technical. The piece of meat was dismembered following a specific cutting pattern, using something similar to a knife made with a sharp piece of si…
The Conversation
Idaho PressNeanderthals likely ate fermented meat with a side of maggots
Black soldier fly maggots can feed on decomposing animals. Melanie M. BeasleyScientists long thought that Neanderthals were avid meat eaters. Based on chemical analysis of Neanderthal remains, it seemed like they’d been feasting on as much meat as apex predators such as lions and hyenas. But as a group, hominins – that’s Neanderthals, our species and other extinct close relatives – aren’t specialized flesh eaters. Rather, they’re more omnivorous…
NewScientist
Anti-Aging, Acupuncture and Health NewsNeanderthals were probably maggot-munchers, not hyper-carnivores
It has been claimed Neanderthals ate a huge amount of meat based on isotope ratios in their bones – but the explanation could instead be a diet rich in maggots
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