Recent archaeological discoveries at the Neumark-Nord 2 site in central Germany have significantly altered our perception of Neanderthal intelligence and survival methods. Researchers have found evidence dating back 125,000 years of a large-scale practice known as bone grease rendering, marking it as a prehistoric “fat factory.” This involved the systematic processing of bones from at least 172 large mammals, such as deer, horses, and aurochs, to extract calorie-dense fat.

Published in *Science Advances*, this study represents the earliest clear instance of intensive grease-rendering in Paleolithic archaeology, far earlier than previously recorded examples. Dr. Lutz Kindler, the study’s lead author from the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie, noted that Neanderthals displayed organized and strategic resource management. They not only planned hunts and transported carcasses but also rendered fat in a designated area.

The Neumark-Nord 2 site also provides insight into sophisticated survival tactics. The discovery reveals a two-step process of bone processing: first, Neanderthals extracted marrow by fracturing bones, and subsequently, they boiled the remaining fragments to obtain bone grease. Excavations uncovered over 120,000 bone fragments and thousands of flint tools, indicating a highly efficient processing area near a paleolake.

The broader Neumark-Nord site complex further illustrates the cognitive complexity of Neanderthals. Their ability to effectively zone the landscape for different tasks—hunting, butchering, and fat rendering—demonstrates forward planning and adaptability. This activity had significant ecological implications, affecting local large herbivore populations and showcasing an awareness of resource depletion.

Ultimately, the findings challenge the notion of Neanderthals as simple foragers, presenting them instead as adept planners, capable of evolving strategies to maximize survival and thrive in diverse environments.