Neanderthals ran a prehistoric "fat factory" to survive meat-heavy diets 125,000 years ago
By isabelle // 2025-07-03
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  • Archaeologists discovered evidence of Neanderthals extracting bone grease in Germany 125,000 years ago, pushing back advanced resource use timelines.
  • The site contained 2,000 crushed bones, tools, and signs of boiling, proving they used a sophisticated fat-rendering process.
  • Fat extraction prevented lethal protein poisoning, showing Neanderthals balanced their carnivorous diet strategically.
  • The discovery suggests planning, storage, and coordination—abilities previously undervalued in Neanderthal cognition.
  • This "fat factory" reveals adaptability, aligning with other advanced behaviors like glue-making and landscape management.
In a groundbreaking discovery that rewrites our understanding of early human ingenuity, archaeologists have uncovered evidence that Neanderthals operated a prehistoric "fat factory" in what is now Germany 125,000 years ago. The findings, published in Science Advances, reveal how these ancient relatives systematically crushed and boiled animal bones to extract grease—a vital calorie-rich resource that may have saved them from lethal protein poisoning. The discovery pushes back the timeline of advanced resource intensification by nearly 100,000 years, proving Neanderthals were far more innovative than previously believed. Researchers identified 2,000 bone fragments from horses, deer, and cattle at the Neumark-Nord site, along with hammerstones and anvils used to smash the bones. The fragments show Neanderthals first extracted marrow before boiling the crushed bones to render fat in a labor-intensive process that provided essential nutrients missing from their meat-heavy diet. "It's surprisingly creative and innovative behavior from Neanderthals," said archaeologist Osbjorn Pearson, who was not involved in the study.

Avoiding protein poisoning through fat extraction

Modern hunter-gatherers understand the dangers of relying too heavily on lean meat—a condition known as protein poisoning or "rabbit starvation." A diet excessively high in protein but deficient in fat or carbohydrates leads to nausea, wasting, and even death. Neanderthals, who were predominantly carnivorous, faced the same risk. The discovery of bone grease extraction suggests they developed a solution to balance their diet with calorie-dense fats. "Muscle meat—the stuff that we like to throw on the barbecue—was generally considered by ancient hunter-gatherers to be dog's food," explained study co-author Wil Roebroeks from Leiden University. "You can only consume 300 grams of protein a day [and stay healthy]… so you need a lot of other carbohydrates or fat to reach your daily energy requirements." Analysis of the bones indicates they were meticulously broken near fat-rich areas, then boiled to separate the grease. The processed fragments suggest Neanderthals may have stored or transported fat—evidence of forward planning unseen in earlier periods. "This was intensive, organized, and strategic," said lead author Dr. Lutz Kindler of the MONREPOS Archaeological Research Center.

Resource intensification earlier than ever recorded

Before this study, the earliest confirmed example of such sophisticated grease processing dated to just 28,000 years ago, which was long after Neanderthals had vanished. The new findings place resource intensification squarely within Neanderthal capabilities, challenging assumptions about their cognitive abilities. "Neanderthals were clearly managing resources with precision—planning hunts, transporting carcasses, and rendering fat in a task-specific area," Kindler noted. The sheer volume of bones—172 large mammals—indicates a coordinated effort far beyond simple butchery. "Bone grease production requires a certain volume of bones to make this labor-intensive processing worthwhile," added co-author Prof. Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser. The site's lakeside location suggests an intentional choice, possibly for water access during boiling. The study also points to potential food storage strategies—another cognitive leap previously thought reserved for modern humans.

A glimpse into prehistoric survival

Beyond dietary implications, the discovery underscores Neanderthals' adaptability. Their ability to manipulate fire, process resources efficiently, and plan for scarcity mirrors strategies of later hunter-gatherers. "We see Neanderthals hunting and minimally butchering deer in one area, processing elephants intensively in another, and—as this study shows—rendering fat from hundreds of mammal skeletons in a centralized location," Roebroeks said. The find also aligns with evidence of Neanderthal glue-making and landscape management, reinforcing their sophistication. Yet questions linger, such as how exactly the grease was consumed. Could it have been mixed with plant foods for stews or dried for later use? Future research may reveal more clues. For now, the Neumark-Nord "fat factory" stands as a testament to Neanderthal survival ingenuity, reshaping perceptions of our long-extinct cousins. Far from brutish scavengers, they were planners, innovators, and masters of their environment who were capable of solving problems that plagued them for survival.   Sources for this article include: LiveScience.com IFLScience.com UniversiteitLeiden.nl Popular-Archaeology.com
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