The recent excavation of the Schöningen site in Germany has produced incredible evidence. Likewise, the Gran Dolina site in northern Spain upends conventional ideas of what constitutes “modern” human behavior. Over the last 30 years, researchers at Schöningen have discovered proof of communal horse hunts dating back approximately 300,000 years. At the same time, Gran Dolina has given us a window into mass bison hunts carried out by our Neandertal ancestors nearly 400,000 years ago.
These discoveries show us that our early hominid relatives had sophisticated hunting strategies. They were well-versed in animal behavior and environmental conditions. The findings from these sites show that prehistoric hunters employed more than instinct. They didn’t leave their success to chance — they used smart, strategic and unconventional tactics to dramatically increase their chances of success.
Insights from Schöningen
Much older archaeological site of Schöningen, which has yielded this astonishing collection of finds. These discoveries highlight the sophisticated hunting strategies used by our human ancestors. Archaeologists found evidence indicating that hunters at this site took advantage of the seasonal movements and predictable activities of a family unit of wild horses. They chased these groups into lakeshore ambushes. This bold move was a testament to their great vision, acumen and execution, on full display of their extraordinary intellectual aptitude.
Among the artifacts unearthed at Schöningen are 1,500 stone tools – including sharp-edged flakes that would have proven ideal for butchering carcasses. Perhaps more excitingly, researchers discovered a long piece of wood carved into a point on one end—the Clacton spear—a relic around 400,000 years old. This spear has a sharpened end suggesting that it was used for hunting. These objects show a high level of technological skill on the part of these archaic human ancestor species.
The zoological analysis of a wealth of horse bone from the site reveals some jaw-dropping tooth wear patterns. These patterns suggest that hunters were focusing their efforts on these animals in late spring and early summer and again in early fall. This seasonal hunting pattern suggests an intimate biodiversity knowledge of animal life cycles and behaviors.
“Schöningen shows our Middle Paleolithic ancestors already had great knowledge of their environments, used the immediate topography to their advantage and had a sophisticated understanding of animal behavior, making them successful communal hunters over and over again.” – Ashley Lemke
Discoveries at Gran Dolina
Finds from the Gran Dolina site have played a major role in reconstructing group bison hunts conducted by our Neandertal ancestors. The public excavations have turned up a total of 22,500 fossils to date, with researchers identifying at least 60 bison. The analysis demonstrates that hunters disproportionately targeted young, prime-age, and older. This indicates they used a sophisticated, collective strategy to hunt whole herds of animals.
This evidence suggests an extremely sophisticated strategy of ambush hunting. The hunters probably worked together to improve efficiency and effectiveness of killing dozens or hundreds of bison at once. The findings from Gran Dolina reinforce the idea that Neandertals exhibited behaviors that many would typically associate with modern humans.
“We keep finding evidence of ‘modern human behavior’ in Homo species other than Homo sapiens, especially [Neandertals],” – Jarod Hutson
Yet the communal nature of these hunts breaks open a window to the more complex social organization of such early humans and their relatives. These collaborative awards required researchers to work closely, which researchers felt necessitated effective communication and teamwork. This only emphasizes the intricate social hierarchy of ancient cultures.
Implications for Understanding Human Evolution
The lessons learned from both Schöningen and Gran Dolina have huge ramifications for the story of human evolution. These findings call into question the previously accepted idea that complex social hunting strategies were unique to our species, Homo sapiens. Instead, they propose that complex behaviors like these were likely widespread among different Homo species.
Jarod Hutson, a researcher that has participated in each of these studies, provided his perspective on the significance of these findings. He noted that early hominids repeatedly settled places like Schöningen. They stayed there for most of the year.
“This evidence implies that the Schöningen [hominids] were present at the lakeshore year-round, or nearly year-round,” – Jarod Hutson
Hutson’s remarks continue to emphasize how crucial these sites are in reversing the tide when it comes to understanding early human behavior. The evidence suggests that these communities utilized their environment effectively while showcasing a level of adaptability previously unrecognized in non-Homo sapiens populations.
Scientists have painstakingly compiled 139 detailed longhand accounts from explorers and ethnographers. These narratives provide vivid descriptions of communal and individual hunts conducted between the 1600s and 2000s. This collection provides useful perspectives on the history of shared hunting experiences. It illustrates parallels to the modern tactics employed by early hominids.
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