Sima de los Huesos: Diverse Diet of Early Humans Revealed

The long-held image of our Neanderthal ancestors as exclusively meat-eating hunters is undergoing a significant revision. New research, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, reveals that the hominids of Sima de los Huesos – the closest known relatives to Neanderthals – enjoyed a surprisingly varied diet, incorporating substantial plant matter alongside meat. This isn’t merely a footnote to paleoanthropology; it challenges fundamental assumptions about hominin evolution and adaptation, particularly during periods of extreme climate stress.

For decades, the prevailing theory posited that hominins living during glacial periods, like MIS 12 (around 450,000 years ago), were forced to rely heavily on animal protein due to limited vegetation. This assumption was based on the harsh environmental conditions inferred from geological data. However, the analysis of molar wear patterns from the Sima de los Huesos site paints a different picture. Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH) meticulously examined 16 maxillary molars, comparing them to those of Neanderthals and modern hunter-gatherer groups. The results indicate a less abrasive diet than expected, with a unique inclination of wear facets suggesting a balanced intake of both plant and animal foods.

The significance of this finding extends beyond dietary habits. The type of dental wear is directly linked to the environment. A more varied diet implies a more hospitable landscape than previously reconstructed for MIS 12 in the Iberian Peninsula. While still a glacial period, the Sima de los Huesos hominids appear to have inhabited open forest landscapes with relatively stable conditions, potentially benefiting from microclimates or localized resource availability. This challenges the notion of a uniformly harsh environment across Europe during this time.

The Forward Look

This research is likely to spur a re-evaluation of existing archaeological data from other Middle Pleistocene sites. We can anticipate increased scrutiny of faunal remains and pollen analysis to corroborate the dietary findings from Sima de los Huesos. More importantly, this study highlights the power of advanced analytical techniques – micro-CT scanning and 3D modeling – in paleoanthropology. Expect to see these methods increasingly employed to unlock new insights into the lives of our ancestors. The next logical step will be to investigate the specific types of plants consumed by the Sima de los Huesos population, potentially through the analysis of dental calculus (plaque). Successfully identifying these plant species will provide a more complete understanding of their dietary adaptations and the environmental conditions they thrived in. Ultimately, this research underscores the adaptability and resilience of early hominins, demonstrating their ability to survive and even flourish in challenging environments through dietary flexibility.