Neanderthals Harvested Shellfish in Spain 115,000 Years Ago

Why this is here: Neanderthals at Los Aviones Cave timed their shellfish harvests to the winter months, coinciding with peak mollusk reproduction and improved meat quality.

Researchers in Spain uncovered evidence that Neanderthals harvested shellfish at Los Aviones Cave in Cartagena roughly 115,000 years ago. The team found remains of gastropods and limpets, indicating the hominins understood how to gather these mollusks as food. This challenges older ideas about Neanderthal intelligence and their ability to adapt to coastal environments.

The Neanderthals at this site ate shellfish seasonally, prioritizing harvests from November to April. They seemed to target mollusks during colder months when the shellfish had more meat and better flavor. Analysis of shell carbonate and oxygen isotopes helped determine the time of year the shellfish were collected.

This discovery suggests Neanderthals had a sophisticated understanding of marine resources and a diverse diet rich in Omega-3 and zinc. It remains unclear if this shellfish consumption directly impacted human evolution, though the researchers suggest a possible connection. Further research will explore the full extent of Neanderthal dietary habits and cognitive abilities.