Study reveals Neanderthals processed bones into 'fat factories' for maximum calorie extraction
By
andsoitis
29d ago· 5 min readenNews
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Summary
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that Neanderthals had sophisticated methods for extracting fat from bones, going beyond simply cracking them open for marrow. The research shows Neanderthals processed bones into tiny fragments to maximize fat extraction, essentially operating 'fat factories' to obtain valuable calories from bone grease. This demonstrates advanced food processing strategies among Neanderthals, highlighting their resourcefulness and complex behavioral capabilities.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledOur earliest ancestors in Africa already cracked open bones to extract the fatty marrow from bone cavities.
But now a new study published in Science Advances demonstrates that our distant cousins, the Neanderthals, pushed fat extraction from bones quite a bit further.
From complete bones to tiny fragments.
Fat is a very valuable food component, packed with calories, especially important when other resources might be scarce. Our earliest ancestors in Africa already cracked open bones to extract the fatty marrow from bone cavities. But now a new study publish

