New research reveals that Neanderthals possessed robust chest structures that enhanced their hunting abilities. The study, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, focused on the unique thoracic morphology of Neanderthals, uncovering adaptations that may have provided them with key advantages in hunting and survival during the Ice Age.
Researchers relied on three-dimensional models of two Neanderthal skeletons: Shanidar 3, discovered in Iraq and dated to about 45,000 years ago, and Kebara 2, found in Israel and approximately 60,000 years old.
Reconstructing the thoracic morphology of Neanderthals was challenging due to the fragility of ribs, which are rarely found intact. However, Shanidar 3 presented enough elements for a precise digital reconstruction, as reported by SciencePost. The ribs of Shanidar 3 and Kebara 2 were more horizontal and less twisted than those of Homo sapiens, providing more space for the lungs and supporting greater oxygen intake. The anatomical feature suggests that Neanderthals had larger diaphragms, contributing to their ability to inhale large quantities of air and survive in difficult conditions.
The research team compared the rib cage of Shanidar 3 to those of 58 modern Homo sapiens specimens from different climates. They discovered that Shanidar 3 shared the same bell thoracic morphology as Kebara 2, characteristic of ancient Neanderthals. The finding indicates that the bell-shaped ribcage was a common trait among Neanderthals, regardless of the climates they inhabited.
The robust chest structure was advantageous for their hunting strategies. Neanderthals relied on strategic ambushes that required explosive strength and precision, allowing them to overpower large prey such as lions, cave bears, and prehistoric elephants.
Their hunting strategy involved short, intense bursts of energy rather than endurance running. The stocky ribcage configuration of Neanderthals favored these short bursts, reflecting their adaptation to the vast glacial and wooded expanses of Eurasia, where prolonged pursuit of animals was difficult. In contrast, modern Homo sapiens developed a barrel-shaped ribcage, ideal for thoracic breathing adapted to prolonged efforts like endurance running.
Neanderthals had to be robust to cope with the harsh climate of the cold regions they inhabited, particularly Northern Europe. Their more spacious ribcages are believed to have helped retain body heat, a crucial adaptation during the Ice Age. Additionally, features such as wide noses, shoulders, pelvises, and short limbs supported the thermoregulation.
Interestingly, the study challenges previous ideas that associated the Neanderthal bell-shaped ribcage exclusively with cold environments. Shanidar 3 and Kebara 2 both lived in Levantine regions with mild climates, suggesting that the morphology indicates adaptability to different climates, not just cold environments as previously suspected. The finding suggests that robust physiques may have arisen for other reasons, such as elevated metabolism or a physically demanding lifestyle, according to Phys.org.
The larger ribcage affinity in modern humans adapted to colder climates raises new questions about where the trait originated. Researchers are considering whether it is a convergent trait that developed independently in modern populations because it is useful in cold climates, or if it is a result of genetic heritage from Neanderthals, providing better adaptation to these environments.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq