During the Ice Age, massive elephants once roamed across Europe—and new research shows they traveled surprisingly long distances before encountering Neanderthals.
A study of ancient elephant remains from Neumark-Nord in northeastern Germany is shedding new light on how these giant animals lived and how early humans hunted them.
Neumark-Nord was once a lake-rich landscape more than 100,000 years ago.
Today, it is one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites. Fossils of more than 70 European straight-tusked elephants have been found there.
These animals were enormous, even larger than today’s African elephants, and evidence shows they were hunted by Neanderthals.
To better understand these elephants, an international team of researchers examined the teeth of four individuals using advanced scientific techniques.
By studying chemical signals—known as isotopes—locked inside the teeth, the scientists were able to track where the elephants had traveled, what they ate, and even determine their sex.
Teeth grow slowly over time, recording chemical information from the environment like a natural diary. By analyzing elements such as carbon, oxygen, and strontium, the researchers could trace the elephants’ movements across different regions. Their findings showed that some elephants traveled up to 300 kilometers before reaching the Neumark-Nord area.
This long-distance movement suggests that these animals did not stay in one place but moved across wide territories. The study also found differences between males and females. The male elephants appeared to roam much farther, similar to the behavior of modern elephants, while females likely stayed closer to their home areas.
The research also provides important clues about Neanderthal behavior. The large number of elephant remains at the site, combined with the movement patterns revealed in the teeth, suggests that Neanderthals were not simply taking advantage of random opportunities. Instead, they likely planned and organized hunts, targeting these huge animals deliberately.
Hunting such massive prey would have required cooperation, knowledge of the landscape, and advanced skills. This challenges older ideas that Neanderthals were less capable or less organized than modern humans. Instead, the findings suggest they were skilled hunters who understood their environment well.
The study also introduced a new method called paleoproteomics, which analyzes ancient proteins preserved in teeth. This allowed researchers to identify the sex of the elephants for the first time, adding another layer of detail to their understanding.
Beyond hunting, the Neumark-Nord site reveals a rich picture of Neanderthal life. Evidence shows they processed animal carcasses, extracted fat from large mammals, and gathered plant foods like nuts. They may have even used fire to shape their environment.
Overall, the research paints a picture of a complex and adaptable human population living alongside migrating giant elephants. These findings help scientists better understand both the animals of the Ice Age and the people who lived among them.
Source: KSR.
