A 125,000-year-old site in Germany known as Neumark-Nord reveals the earliest evidence of one of our hominin relatives, Neanderthals, leaving a lasting mark on their landscape.
Located about 22 miles east of Leipzig, Neumark-Nord was dotted with small lakes during an era 130,000 to 115,000 years ago when glaciers had retreated from Europe. Archaeological evidence suggests Neanderthals, who hunted and gathered, moved into the area to capitalize on the milder climate during that time, and altered their landscape through increased use.
These hominins hunted and butchered animals, produced tools, collected firewood and built campfires in the Neumark-Nord region for about 2,000 years, in turn modifying the local ecosystem for the duration of the Neanderthals’ stay, a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances says.
