A recent examination of ancient bones from approximately 125,000 years ago, belonging to about 70 elephants, has unveiled new insights into the behaviors of Neanderthals during that era.
The findings suggest that Neanderthals displayed advanced cooperation and social structure, actively targeting and bringing down large prey. Additionally, they assembled in larger groups than previously believed.

The analyzed bones originated from straight-tusked elephants (Paleoloxodon antiquus), an extinct species that stood at around 4 meters (13 feet) tall at the shoulder—almost twice the size of present-day African elephants. The remains provided about 4 tons of meat per carcass.
Experts estimate that a team of 25 individuals would have needed 3–5 days to skin and then preserve the elephant meat, indicating either the presence of a significant Neanderthal community nearby or their ability to store large quantities of meat.

This intricate process highlights the sophisticated nature of early humans. Lutz Kindler, an archaeozoologist from the MONREPOS Archaeological Research Center in Germany, emphasized the complexity of the endeavor, questioning the logic of slaughtering an entire elephant when a portion of the meat would go to waste.
Evidence of charcoal fires around the archaeological site suggests that the meat was dried to extend its shelf life.
This contradicts the conventional notion of Neanderthals living in smaller groups, as the haul would have sustained up to 350 people for a week or 100 people for a month.
The age composition of the elephant bones also tells a story. These remains primarily belonged to adult males, challenging the assumption of scavenging behavior, where one would expect the presence of females and children.
This implies deliberately targeting larger males, possibly by herding them into traps or mud. The bones revealed meticulous butchery, with minimal marks from other animals, suggesting thorough meat and fat extraction by Neanderthals.
The researchers assert that this evidence constitutes the earliest clear indication of systematic hunting and processing of straight-tusked elephants—the largest land mammals of the Pleistocene era. This discovery reshapes perspectives on Neanderthal group dynamics, mobility, and collaboration.
In total, around 3,400 elephant bones were examined, featuring distinct traces of cutting and scraping made by flint tools—a remarkable find, as direct cut marks like these are seldom found.
The bones were excavated near Neumark-Nord in Germany, discovered by coal miners in the 1980s. This site offers a valuable window into Neanderthal activities during the Last Interglacial period, approximately 130,000–115,000 years ago.
Contrary to the traditional portrayal of Neanderthals as primitive, this study joins a growing body of evidence showcasing their complex behaviors.
Archaeologist Wil Roebroeks from Leiden University highlighted that Neanderthals actively influenced their environment, including using fire and interacting significantly with the largest creatures of their time.
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