Reevaluation of 1948 Discovery Confirms Neanderthals Hunted Elephants

In 1948, the skeleton of a straight-tusked elephant was unearthed in Lehringen, Germany, alongside a 2.38-meter-long wooden spear. For decades, the association between the spear and the elephant was debated, with some suggesting it was coincidental. A recent study has reexamined the site, revealing cut marks on the elephant's ribs and vertebrae, indicating that Neanderthals butchered the animal on-site. This evidence suggests that Neanderthals engaged in coordinated hunting strategies, targeting large game such as elephants. The findings challenge previous assumptions about Neanderthal capabilities, highlighting their strategic hunting skills comparable to those of anatomically modern humans 125,000 years ago.