Neanderthals, the ancient human species, were discovered to have hunted cave lions, a now-extinct species that was larger than modern lions. This finding provides some of the earliest evidence of ancient humans hunting top predators instead of plant-eating animals like mammoths.
The Evidence of Neanderthal Lion Hunting
- A 48,000-year-old cave lion skeleton found in Germany revealed cut marks on its bones, indicating that the lion had been butchered after its death.
- A wooden spear thrust mark was discovered on one of the lion’s ribs, initially mistaken for a wound from another carnivore. This suggests that Neanderthals used wooden spears to hunt and kill the cave lion.
- In a cave in Germany, researchers found bones from the tips of a cave lion’s toes that showed cut marks. These marks indicated that the Neanderthals skinned the lion in a way that left the claws attached, possibly for ritual or decorative purposes.
Neanderthals as Skilled Hunters
Modern humans, or Homo sapiens, had not yet established themselves in Europe 48,000 years ago. Instead, Neanderthals, or Homo neanderthalensis, were the predominant human species in the region. The discovery of Neanderthals hunting cave lions suggests that they were skilled hunters capable of taking down top predators.
Neanderthal Hunting Behavior
- Neanderthals had been hunting various animals for a long time. Evidence shows earlier species like Homo erectus hunting wildebeest in Africa as early as 2 million years ago.
- While Neanderthals hunted large animals like elephants, cave lions were not their primary targets. Cave lions were less common than herbivores and posed a greater danger to hunters.
- There is a study from 2010 that describes the remains of a cave lion found in Spain dating back to around 350,000 years ago. Although this suggests that hominins were hunting lions even earlier, there is no evidence of hunting-related injuries, indicating that the lion may have been scavenged instead.
This research provides valuable insights into the hunting and survival strategies of Neanderthals. It highlights their ability to tackle formidable predators and their resourcefulness in utilizing animal resources for various purposes.
