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Neandertal energetics and foraging efficiency.

M V Sorensen1, W R Leonard

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. volunge@northwestern.edu

Journal of Human Evolution
|May 24, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Neanderthals had high energy needs due to robusticity, but their foraging efficiency was comparable to modern humans. They were likely either highly active or inefficient foragers, not both.

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Human Evolution
  • Bioenergetics

Background:

  • Neandertal skeletal robusticity suggests high activity levels, implying significant energy requirements.
  • This conflicts with arguments suggesting Neandertals were inefficient foragers.
  • This study reconciles these apparent contradictions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate Neandertal energy needs.
  • To evaluate Neandertal foraging efficiency in the context of their estimated energy demands.
  • To assess the feasibility of high activity levels and/or inefficient foraging in Neandertals.

Main Methods:

  • Basal metabolic rates (BMR) were predicted using World Health Organization standards based on body weight estimates.
  • Total daily energy expenditure was calculated assuming high physical activity levels (2-3x BMR).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Foraging efficiency was determined using conservative estimates of foraging returns and time, compared to modern humans and nonhuman primates.

    • Main Results:

    • Estimated Neandertal energy requirements ranged from 3000–5500 kcal/day.
    • Even with conservative parameters, Neandertal foraging efficiency was estimated at 800–1150 kcal/h.
    • These foraging efficiency estimates are comparable to those of contemporary hunter-gatherers.

    Conclusions:

    • Neandertals with high activity levels would require foraging efficiencies within the range of modern human groups.
    • The data suggest Neandertals could not have been both highly active and poor foragers simultaneously.
    • This challenges the notion of Neandertals being exclusively inefficient foragers if they were indeed highly active.