ZAP // Freepik
The discovery of fossils of small turtles in Germany indicates that Neanderthal children killed them to practice and learn how to hunt.
New research offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Neanderthals, suggesting that the children may have played a more active role in early human societies than previously thought.
One published in the journal Scientific Reports points to evidence that young Neanderthals may have hunted small turtlespossibly as a way of learning essential survival skills.
The discoveries come from Neumark-Nord, an archaeological site in Germany dating back to approximately 125 thousand years. Researchers found dozens of remains of European pond turtles, many of which showed clear signs of slaughter. Although it is known that Neanderthals consumed turtles, this discovery stands out both for the location and the nature of the animals involved.
Unlike previous discoveries in warmer southern regions, where turtles were larger and more abundant, this site is much further north. In this region, turtles would only be present during short warm periods, making them a less reliable food source. Furthermore, the turtles found in Neumark-Nord were relatively small, weighing around one kilogram, offering a limited nutritional value compared to the larger game animals available in the region, explains .
These factors led researchers to question whether turtle hunting was motivated purely by subsistence needs. Instead, the evidence suggests a different explanation: that the activity may have served a cultural or cultural purpose. development within Neanderthal groups.
One of the main theories is that children were responsible for catching the turtles. Due to their slow movements and ease of capture, turtles would make ideal targets for inexperienced hunters. This would have allowed younger members of the group practice hunting techniques in a low-risk environment, gradually developing the skills needed for adulthood.
Other interpretations have also been suggested. Some researchers suggest that turtle shells may have been reused as toolssuch as shovels, while others point to possible cultural or symbolic uses that are not yet fully understood. However, there is currently little physical evidence to support these alternative explanations.
What makes this discovery particularly significant is the implication that not all Neanderthal behavior was strictly linked to survival. The apparent lack of need to hunt such small prey suggests the presence of social structures and learning practices in these early human communities.
