Microfossils in calculus demonstrate consumption of plants and cooked foods in Neanderthal diets (Shanidar III, Iraq; Spy I and II, Belgium)
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Archaeological analysis of microfossils from dental calculus in fossil specimens (by design analogy, Level 4 case series).
OpenAlex W2020706664 · doi:10.1073/pnas.1016868108
What was done
Researchers analyzed microfossils (phytoliths and starch grains) recovered from the dental calculus of Neanderthal skeletons from two distinct geographic and climatic regions: Shanidar Cave in Iraq (Shanidar III) and Spy Cave in Belgium (Spy I and II).
What was found
Microfossils embedded in dental calculus included date palms (Phoenix spp.), legumes, grass seeds (Triticeae), and other edible plants. Many grass seed starches exhibited distinctive structural damage indicative of cooking. The abstract provides qualitative identifications but no specific quantitative counts or proportions.
Why it matters
This directly contradicts models suggesting Neanderthal extinction was linked to an inability or failure to exploit plant foods, showing that Neanderthals in both warm Mediterranean and cold northern European climates consumed and cooked diverse plants.
Limits
The findings are derived from only three individual fossil specimens across two sites, precluding broad generalizations about population-wide dietary variance. The abstract does not quantify the proportion or caloric significance of plant foods relative to animal prey, nor does calculus preservation reflect total lifetime dietary intake.
Cited by
- supports Dental calculus evidence shows Neanderthals consumed grains and plant starches.