Fermented meat with a side of maggots: A new look at the Neanderthal diet

For years, researchers believed that Neanderthals were primarily carnivorous, drawing comparisons to top predators like lions and hyenas based on chemical analyses of their remains. However, new insights into the diets of these ancient hominins reveal a more complex picture. Unlike specialized flesh-eaters, Neanderthals, along with early humans and other extinct relatives, had a more omnivorous diet that included a significant amount of plant-based foods. While it's true that some traditional hunter-gatherer societies, such as the Inuit, thrive on high-protein diets predominantly composed of animal sources, Neanderthals could not sustain the same level of protein consumption as apex predators without risking health issues. Excessive protein intake can lead to conditions like rabbit starvation, which can be debilitating or even fatal. So, what accounts for the high levels of meat consumption indicated by the chemical signatures found in Neanderthal bones? Recent research by a team of anthropologists has suggested a surprising factor: maggots. By examining the ratios of isotopes in the bones of ancient animals, scientists can glean insights into their diets. Specifically, nitrogen isotopes—nitrogen-14 and nitrogen-15—play a crucial role in this analysis. Nitrogen-15 accumulates up the food chain, resulting in higher concentrations in carnivorous species. Herbivores, consuming plants with low nitrogen-15 values, exhibit a lower ratio, while meat-eaters show elevated levels. This isotopic evidence points toward the possibility that maggots, which are rich in protein and can be found in decaying organic matter, may have been a significant part of the Neanderthal diet, providing essential nutrients that complemented their omnivorous lifestyle.