Research has revealed that Neanderthals, long perceived as apex predators in their ecosystem, had a surprisingly diverse diet that included maggots. A study conducted by anthropologist Melanie Beasley and her colleagues at Purdue University utilized chemical analysis of Neanderthal bones to uncover this unexpected aspect of their eating habits.
Using stable nitrogen isotopes, specifically Nitrogen-14 and Nitrogen-15, the team found that Neanderthals exhibited high levels of Nitrogen-15, similar to modern apex predators like lions and wolves. This finding initially suggested a diet rich in large mammals such as mammoths and bison. However, the team encountered a puzzle: unlike other hypercarnivores, Neanderthals and early humans are not equipped to consume excessive protein without facing health issues, such as “rabbit starvation.”
The researchers began to consider alternative food sources that could account for the elevated Nitrogen-15 levels found in Neanderthal bones. Notably, they pointed to the consumption of maggots, which thrive on decomposing flesh and possess an impressive capacity to accumulate Nitrogen-15. This led the team to hypothesize that maggots played a vital role in Neanderthal diets, particularly when scavenging decaying animal remains.
In their analysis, the researchers discovered that maggots feeding on decomposing meat can have Nitrogen-15 levels nearly four times higher than those found in lions. To validate their hypothesis, the team conducted experiments with fly larvae consuming human muscle tissue. Their findings revealed that during decomposition, lighter nitrogen atoms escape while heavier ones remain, enriching the maggots feeding on the tissue with Nitrogen-15.
Interestingly, the study also found that larvae collected during winter months exhibited even higher Nitrogen-15 values, likely due to the slower decomposition process in colder conditions. This suggests that Neanderthals may have supplemented their diets with maggots alongside other food sources, allowing them to maintain higher nitrogen levels without relying solely on a high-protein diet.
The research team concluded, “In the particular case considered here of Eurasian Late Pleistocene hominins, we suspect that the high [Nitrogen-15] values reflect routine consumption of stored decomposing fatty animal substrates laced with highly-enriched maggots.” This study, published in Science Advances, could significantly alter perceptions of Neanderthal dietary habits and their adaptability as scavengers.
The findings also draw parallels with certain modern Indigenous groups in the Arctic and subarctic regions, known to consume maggots from decomposing meat. This connection emphasizes the long-standing role of maggots as a nutritional resource throughout human history, further enriching our understanding of both Neanderthal and contemporary human diets.
As research continues, the implications of this study may extend beyond Neanderthals, shedding light on the dietary practices of early humans and the ecological roles of scavengers in prehistoric ecosystems. This new perspective on Neanderthal eating habits invites further exploration into how these ancient humans interacted with their environment and utilized available resources.
