Archaeologists in Germany unearthed evidence suggesting Neanderthals, 125,000 years ago, employed a sophisticated method for extracting fat from animal bones. They discovered numerous bone fragments at a site dubbed a "fat factory," indicating organized bone-breaking and boiling to obtain calorie-rich grease. This discovery pushes back the known timeline of this food preparation technique by nearly 100,000 years, highlighting Neanderthal resource management and ingenuity. The find also sheds light on their diet and adaptation strategies, suggesting they understood the nutritional value of fat and its importance in their survival, particularly during lean seasons.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.