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Neanderthals Used Turtle Shells as Tools, Study Reveals

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

New research suggests Neanderthals used turtle shells as tools rather than for food.
Fragments found at the Neumark-Nord site in Germany, dating back 125,000 years, show cut marks indicating careful butchering.
Study leader Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser stated that the turtles were likely hunted by children due to low nutritional value and ease of capture.
The findings highlight Neanderthal survival strategies beyond food, and the study was published in Scientific Reports.

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Story summary

New research suggests Neanderthals used turtle shells as tools rather than for food.
Fragments found at the Neumark-Nord site in Germany, dating back 125,000 years, show cut marks indicating careful butchering.
Study leader Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser stated that the turtles were likely hunted by children due to low nutritional value and ease of capture.
The findings highlight Neanderthal survival strategies beyond food, and the study was published in Scientific Reports.