Early Homo developed repeatable meat butchery techniques 1.6 million years ago
Updated
Updated · VICE · May 10
Early Homo developed repeatable meat butchery techniques 1.6 million years ago
9 articles · Updated · VICE · May 10
At Kenya's FwJj 80 site in northern Koobi Fora, researchers examined more than 1,100 fossils showing limbs cut at the same points and leg bones cracked similarly.
The study says early humans mainly processed antelope and other hoofed animals, targeting the meatiest limb muscles before extracting marrow, indicating efficient, reliable food preparation.
Few carnivore tooth marks suggest early access to carcasses, while the repeated patterns over long periods challenge views of opportunistic diets and hint at food sharing and growing social organisation.
Our ancestors were expert butchers 1.6 million years ago, but were they skilled hunters or just clever thieves?
How did the simple act of systematically butchering an animal lay the foundation for modern human society?
Since different human species mastered butchery, does this suggest that advanced intelligence evolved multiple times across the globe?