Excavations at the renowned Palaeolithic site of Neumark-Nord, located in present-day Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, yielded numerous turtle shell fragments that stiffly challenge previous assumptions about Neanderthal dietary practices. By employing advanced techniques such as high-resolution 3D scanning, the researchers were able to meticulously analyze a significant sample—92 shell fragments—that displayed cut marks predominantly on their inner surfaces. These incisions reveal deliberate butchering behaviors: precise detachment of limbs, removal of internal organs, and thorough cleaning of the turtle shells. This evidence marks the first confirmed case of Neanderthals hunting and processing turtles north of the Alps, expanding the known geographic range of such behaviors beyond the southern Mediterranean basin.

Importantly, the research team argues convincingly that turtles were unlikely pursued for nutritional needs. The abundance of remains from large mammals — including deer, cattle, horses, and the colossal European straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), which could weigh up to ten tonnes — suggests an environment rich in high-calorie resources. Previous studies at Neumark-Nord have demonstrated the existence of organized Neanderthal “fat factories,” where fat was systematically extracted from large mammal bones, further underscoring the surplus of caloric intake available to these hominins.

The relatively modest weight and caloric content of the pond turtle, weighing approximately one kilogram each, support the interpretation that these animals served a purpose beyond nutrition. Researchers propose that the turtles’ shells were repurposed as tools, possibly fashioned into small containers or scoop-like implements. The inherent durability and shape of the shells would have made them useful in a variety of practical applications, reflecting an adaptive and resourceful facet of Neanderthal technology previously underestimated in paleoanthropological discourse.

Moreover, the ease of capturing pond turtles could imply that juvenile Neanderthals, possibly children, played an active role in this aspect of resource procurement. Catching these creatures would have provided a manageable task for younger members of the group while simultaneously contributing to the community’s technological toolkit. This reinterpretation highlights a complex social structure where different age groups participated in diverse subsistence and material culture activities, pointing to a nuanced division of labor within Neanderthal groups.

Beyond practical considerations, an intriguing alternative hypothesis is the potential cultural or medicinal use of turtle parts. Ethnographic analogies drawn from later indigenous populations indicate that turtles may have held specific symbolic or pharmacological significance. Although speculative, this suggestion invites interdisciplinary research linking archaeology with ethnobiology and cognitive science to explore the cultural dimensions of Neanderthal life.

This study enriches the growing body of evidence portraying Neanderthals not as simplistic primitive hunter-gatherers but rather as intelligent and ecologically flexible hominins with complex survival strategies. They demonstrated the capacity to maximize available resources creatively and beyond mere caloric maximization, adapting technologies and cultural behaviors to their unique environments and social needs.

The collaborative analysis conducted by MONREPOS/LEIZA, JGU Mainz, and Leiden University stems from collections excavated from the former Neumark-Nord lignite open-pit mine area. These extensive ongoing research projects benefit greatly from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt, ensuring sustained access to critical archaeological materials and support for multidisciplinary inquiry.

Beyond the specific findings regarding turtles, the research methods employed reflect cutting-edge approaches in paleolithic archaeology. The utilization of high-resolution 3D scanning enabled researchers to discern subtle yet definitive cut marks and other surface modifications, surpassing traditional visual inspection. This technology offers a non-destructive means to analyze fragile material remains and reconstruct the intricate behaviors of ancient humans with unprecedented clarity.

The implications of this work extend beyond understanding Neanderthal subsistence. They bear on broader debates about cognitive capacities, tool-making sophistication, and the role of symbolism or specialized knowledge in early human evolution. By illuminating a previously overlooked facet of Neanderthal life, the study pushes back against outdated stereotypes and affirms the complexity of our closest evolutionary relatives.

As the scientific community digests these new findings, future research directions will likely investigate the wider application of similar behaviors across other sites and time periods, potentially reshaping established narratives about Neanderthal lifeways in differing ecological contexts. Such studies are essential in piecing together a comprehensive picture of hominin adaptability and cultural expression over millennia.

In summary, this landmark study on the European pond turtle shells from Neumark-Nord enriches our understanding of Neanderthal ingenuity, cultural depth, and ecological resourcefulness during the Last Interglacial. By creatively reusing animal shells to manufacture tools or containers, Neanderthals showcased a behavioral sophistication that continues to fascinate and challenge our perceptions of prehistoric human behavior.

Subject of Research: Animals

Article Title: Shell game: Neanderthal use of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Last Interglacial landscape of Neumark-Nord (Germany)

News Publication Date: 8-Apr-2026

Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42113-x

Image Credits: Creative illustration by Nicole Viehofer/MONREPOS (LEIZA)

Published on March 18, 2026, in the open-access journal PLOS One, this pioneering study bridges the gap between archaeological evidence and indigenous knowledge systems, demonstrating that Neanderthals likely harnessed birch tar not only to glue stone tools but also as a therapeutic agent for wound care. The implications of these findings reverberate across paleopharmacology and our understanding of early human healthcare practices during the Ice Age, augmenting the narrative that Neanderthals possessed complex behavioral repertoires inclusive of natural medicine.

To decipher the antibacterial potency of birch tar, Siemssen and his research team meticulously extracted the substance from modern birch tree bark species identifiable in Neanderthal contexts. Employing a suite of experimental archaeology techniques, they replicated ancient production methods accessible to early humans: one involving distillation within clay pit structures and another condensing tar against stone surfaces adjacent to controlled hearth fires. These reconstructions were critical for recreating tar samples comparable to those utilized in prehistoric times, providing a realistic substrate for antimicrobial assays.

Subsequent laboratory analyses revealed compelling bioactivity: all experimental birch tar samples inhibited the proliferation of Staphylococcus bacterial strains. This genus encompasses species notorious for causing wound infections which, if untreated, could precipitate severe health complications or death. The tar’s effective suppression of bacterial growth substantiates ethnobotanical claims held by northern European and Indigenous Canadian communities, who have historically employed birch tar in folk medicine as a natural antiseptic and healing agent.

The study’s experimental findings amplify the growing scholarly consensus that Neanderthals engaged in multifactorial health-related behaviors. Beyond using natural resins for adhesive purposes, the dual utility of birch tar as both a glue and an antibacterial compound suggests intentionality in chemical knowledge and application. These dual roles illuminate broader cognitive and cultural capacities in Neanderthals, illuminating how they might have negotiated their survival in harsh Ice Age environments through innovative exploitation of natural resources.

Intriguingly, the research also opens avenues for exploring other potential uses of birch tar, such as insect repellent properties, alongside the medicinal potentials presented by other flora in the Neanderthal ecological niche. This broader scope of palaeopharmacological inquiry challenges traditional views that restrict early human use of natural substances to a narrow range of functions and underscores the sophisticated interaction between environment and prehistoric health strategies.

Reflecting on the sensory and practical challenges encountered during this experimental archaeology research, the researchers describe the birch tar production process as “messy” and labor-intensive, highlighting the tenacious hands-on engagement necessary for extraction. The tactile and olfactory experiences embedded in this ancient craft provide nuanced insights into prehistoric daily life, hinting at ritualistic or cultural dimensions attached to producing and utilizing medicinal substances.

These revelations are not merely academic; they offer timely relevance given the contemporary global challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance. The team suggests that a deepened understanding of palaeopharmacology and traditional medicines can inform modern efforts to rediscover and develop novel antibiotic compounds rooted in ancient natural remedies, thereby enriching current biomedical arsenals.

The study thereby acts as a powerful convergence point between archaeology, ethnopharmacology, and microbiology, illustrating the promise of interdisciplinary research to illuminate humanity’s shared heritage in health and healing. By anchoring their experimental methodology in realistic prehistoric contexts, Siemssen and colleagues demonstrate a rigorous approach for inferring behavior from material culture remains, challenging the tendency to underestimate Neanderthal intellectual and cultural complexity.

Ultimately, this research invites a paradigm shift in how early human health behavior is conceptualized—moving beyond simplistic stereotypes of Neanderthals as solely pragmatic tool-users to portraying them as astute experimenters and healers. The antibacterial properties of birch tar signify a sophisticated grasp on medicinal ingredients and underscore an evolutionary continuum of healthcare knowledge stretching back hundreds of millennia.

Through their collaborative effort spanning Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium, the authors contribute substantially to the discourse on Neanderthal biology and cultural adaptation. The validation of birch tar’s antibacterial efficacy accords with and extends indigenous medicinal traditions, encouraging a respectful appreciation for ancestral wisdom and its scientific worth.

In conclusion, the investigation into birch tar as both an adhesive and antimicrobial agent enriches our appreciation of Neanderthal ingenuity, revealing an intricate interplay between ecology, technology, and health in deep prehistory. As this research continues to resonate, it promises to inspire future studies unraveling the medicinal applications of natural substances employed by ancient humans, thus improving our holistic understanding of early human lifeways and resilience.

Subject of Research: People

Article Title: Antibacterial properties of experimentally produced birch tar and its medicinal affordances in the Pleistocene

News Publication Date: 18-Mar-2026

Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343618

References: Siemssen T, Oludare A, Schemmel M, Puschmann J, Bierenstiel M (2026) Antibacterial properties of experimentally produced birch tar and its medicinal affordances in the Pleistocene. PLoS One 21(3): e0343618.

Image Credits: Tjaark Siemssen, CC-BY 4.0

Keywords: Neanderthals, birch tar, antibacterial, Pleistocene, paleopharmacology, prehistoric medicine, adhesive, Staphylococcus, experimental archaeology, indigenous medicine, Ice Age, natural remedies