For decades, the image of the Neanderthal has been dominated by the pursuit of megafauna—the grueling hunt for mammoths, bison, and deer. Still, new evidence from a Palaeolithic site in Germany suggests that these ancient humans were far more ecologically flexible than previously thought, engaging in the targeted capture of smaller, less caloric prey for reasons that had little to do with hunger.
An international research team has discovered that Neanderthals in Central Europe hunted pond turtles, specifically the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), approximately 125,000 years ago. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, indicate that these reptiles were not merely accidental catches but were systematically processed to repurpose their shells into tools.
The discovery was made at Neumark-Nord, a world-renowned site located in what is now Saxony-Anhalt. By utilizing high-resolution 3D scanning on 92 shell fragments, researchers identified precise cut marks on the inner surfaces of the carapaces. These marks reveal a meticulous butchery process: limbs were detached and internal organs were removed, leaving the shells thoroughly cleaned and ready for reuse.
This marks the first documented evidence of Neanderthals hunting and processing turtles north of the Alps, expanding the known range of this behavior beyond the Mediterranean region. The study was led by Professor Dr. Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser of the Institute for Ancient Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, in collaboration with the Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution (MONREPOS/LEIZA) and Leiden University.
Beyond the Caloric Surplus
In the study of early humans, the “optimal foraging theory” often suggests that hunters prioritize prey with the highest caloric return for the least effort. By that metric, a pond turtle—weighing roughly one kilogram—is a poor choice. The researchers argue that the Neanderthals at Neumark-Nord were not hunting turtles out of necessity.
The site is already known for an extraordinary abundance of high-yield prey. Excavations have recovered over 100,000 animal bone fragments, including deer, cattle, horses, and the massive European straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), which could weigh more than 10 tonnes. “We can virtually rule this out given the abundance of remains from large, high-yield prey animals at this site. There was in all likelihood a complete caloric surplus,” Gaudzinski-Windheuser said.
The decision to hunt turtles, suggests a survival strategy based on utility rather than appetite. The cleaned shells likely served as small containers or scoop-like implements, essentially acting as prehistoric ladles. This shift in perspective reveals a level of cognitive complexity and resourcefulness that transcends simple survival.
The Role of Children and Medicinal Beliefs
The ease of capturing a pond turtle compared to a ten-tonne elephant raises intriguing questions about the social structure of the Neanderthal group. Due to the fact that turtles are relatively simple to catch, researchers suggest they may have been hunted by children. This would imply that younger members of the community were not just observers but active participants in the gathering of materials and the creation of tools.
Beyond the utility of the shell, the team considers other motivations. The turtles may have been hunted for their specific taste or for perceived medicinal properties. Such a practice is not unprecedented; similar behaviors have been documented among later indigenous peoples, suggesting a long-term human tradition of using reptiles for health or ritual purposes.
A Landscape of Industrial Sophistication
The discovery of the “turtle tools” is the latest piece of a larger puzzle regarding the Neumark-Nord site. The location, a former open-cast lignite mine, has proven to be a treasure trove of behavioral evidence. Previous research by the same team revealed that Neanderthals operated a systematic “fat factory” at the site, where they extracted fat from the bones of large mammals to create a stable energy source.
The combination of fat extraction and the repurposing of turtle shells points toward a highly organized approach to the environment. Rather than wandering aimlessly, these Neanderthals were maximizing every possible resource—from the marrow of an elephant to the carapace of a small reptile.
| Prey Category | Examples | Primary Use/Value |
|---|---|---|
| Megafauna | Straight-tusked elephant | High calories, fat extraction |
| Large Game | Deer, Cattle, Horses | Primary food source, materials |
| Small Reptiles | European pond turtle | Tool creation (containers/scoops) |
Ecological Flexibility and Future Research
The implications of this study extend beyond the shells themselves. It challenges the stereotype of the Neanderthal as a rigid, substantial-game specialist. Instead, it presents a picture of “ecological flexibility,” where the species adapted its hunting habits based on the specific needs of the community—whether those needs were nutritional, medicinal, or technological.
This research was made possible through the support of the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt and continues to be a joint effort between JGU, Leiden University, and the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA).
The team is continuing its analysis of the material from the Neumark-Nord site. The next phase of research will focus on further analyzing the 3D scans of other organic remains to determine if other small animals were similarly processed for non-food purposes, potentially redefining our understanding of the Neanderthal toolkit.
Do you think our ancestors’ ingenuity was more about survival or curiosity? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
