Date:

Early humans hunted beavers 400,000-years-ago

Researchers suggests that early humans were hunting, skinning, and eating beavers around 400,000-years-ago.

A joint study, led by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), and Leiden University in the Netherlands, suggest that the lack of well-preserved remains from small mammals and plant matter has led to the misconception that early archaic humans subsisted predominantly on larger animals around 400,000-years-ago.

- Advertisement -

According to the study published in the journal Scientific Reports, bones from 94 beavers found in a large faunal assemblage from a 400,000-year-old hominin site in Bilzingsleben, Germany, shows evidence of cut marks attributed to stone tools as the beaver carcasses were being processed.

Notably, the majority of the remains represented young adult beavers, suggesting a deliberate strategy of targeting inexperienced but fully grown, fat-rich animals. This emphasis on fat as a crucial food resource during the Pleistocene challenges previous assumptions about early humans’ dietary habits. Based on the cut mark distribution pattern, it is also likely that the beavers were targeted for their skins.

“Excellent bone preservation of the beaver remains enabled the documentation of cut marks which were identified on various body parts. They attest to the exploitation of complete carcasses, most traces documenting skinning and subsequent disarticulation,” said the study authors.

Proffessor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser highlights the significance of this discovery in broadening the understanding of early hominin diets. The prevalent belief that early Europeans primarily relied on large game until roughly 50,000 years ago is reconsidered, showcasing a much earlier and more diverse dietary spectrum among these ancient human populations.

- Advertisement -

“The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed,” said the study authors.

Header Image Credit : Shutterstock

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

5,000-year-old fire altar discovery at oldest centre of civilisation in the Americas

Archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old fire altar at the Era de Pando archaeological site, revealing new secrets of the oldest centre of civilisation in the Americas.

Inside “Magic Mountain” – The secret Cold War bunker

“Magic Mountain”, otherwise known as the Avionics Building at RAF Alconbury, is a Grade II listed concrete bunker complex in the county of Cambridgeshire, England.

Nationally important WWII military treasures unearthed

Two nationally important WWII military treasures have been unearthed in the State Forests of Poland.

Mysterious brass eagle discovered in Chełm Forest District

A metal detecting survey in the Chełm Forest District, Poland, has resulted in the discovery of a mysterious brass eagle badge.

Gold ring from Second Temple period discovered in Jerusalem’s City of David

Archaeologists have discovered a gold ring set with a polished red garnet during excavations of an ancient residential structure in the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

Lost archival evidence on Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz has been rediscovered

A box discovered in the archives of the German Maritime Museum (DSM) has been found to contain a trove of previously unknown materials related to Alfred von Tirpitz.

Medieval discoveries in Huttons Ambo

Archaeologists have made several new discoveries from the late medieval period during excavations in the Yorkshire village of Huttons Ambo, England.

Funerary structure and ceremonial offerings unearthed at Kuélap

Archaeologists from Peru’s Ministry of Culture have unearthed a chulpa type funerary structure during excavations at the northern zone of the Kuélap archaeological complex.