Neanderthals’ Diet Revealed: They Ate Maggots, Not Just Meat

Research has unveiled that Neanderthals were not only adept hunters but also consumed maggots, adding an unexpected twist to their dietary habits. A study led by anthropologist Melanie Beasley from Purdue University indicates that these ancient humans feasted on maggots, significantly influencing their nutritional profile and nitrogen isotope levels.

Using chemical analysis of Neanderthal bones, researchers found that these hominins occupied a position at the top of the prehistoric food chain, sharing this status with apex predators like lions. They primarily hunted large animals such as mammoths and bison. However, the team identified a crucial and previously overlooked aspect of their diet—maggots, which are rich in fat and easy to collect.

The research team utilized stable nitrogen isotopes, specifically Nitrogen-14 and Nitrogen-15, as biological markers to trace the dietary habits of Neanderthals. Nitrogen-15, being heavier and less common, accumulates in higher concentrations as one moves up the food chain. Plants display low levels of this isotope, while herbivores, and consequently carnivores, have progressively higher amounts. The findings revealed that Neanderthals exhibited high levels of Nitrogen-15, comparable to those of wolves and hyenas, suggesting their diet was primarily meat-based.

This discovery raised questions for the research team. Unlike other apex predators, Neanderthals and modern humans cannot metabolize excessive protein without adverse effects, such as a condition historically known as “rabbit starvation.” The researchers hypothesized that the nitrogen levels in Neanderthal bones might be inflated due to a consumption of maggots alongside their meat.

Interestingly, Homo sapiens from the same period displayed similar nitrogen isotope patterns, prompting researchers to consider cultural dietary practices. Indigenous communities in the Arctic and subarctic regions have been documented consuming maggots from decomposing meat, providing a contemporary parallel to the Neanderthal diet.

In a surprising twist, the analysis showed that maggots feeding on rotting flesh possess exceptionally high levels of Nitrogen-15, nearly four times that found in lions. To further investigate this, the team examined fly larvae consuming decomposing human muscle tissue. Their findings indicated that as tissue breaks down, lighter nitrogen atoms escape as gas, leaving heavier isotopes behind. Consequently, maggots feeding on this tissue become enriched with Nitrogen-15.

The team also noted that larvae collected during winter exhibited even higher isotope values, likely due to the slower decomposition process in colder temperatures. This suggests that Neanderthals may have integrated maggots into their diet, consuming them alongside spoiled meat, which could explain the elevated nitrogen levels without relying solely on a hypercarnivore diet.

The research team concluded, “In the particular case considered here of Eurasian Late Pleistocene hominins, we suspect that the high Nitrogen-15 values reflect routine consumption of stored decomposing fatty animal substrates laced with highly-enriched maggots.” This study, which adds a new dimension to our understanding of Neanderthal nutrition, has been published in the journal Science Advances.

This revelation not only enhances our knowledge of Neanderthal dietary practices but also highlights the adaptability of early human species in utilizing available resources for survival.