The Claws and the Spear: New Evidence of Neanderthal-Cave Lion Interactions

Abstract

Throughout most of human evolutionary history, our ancestors were preyed upon by large predators such as lions. Until recently, it was believed that our species, Homo sapiens, was the first one with the ability to kill and exploit resources from dangerous predators. Our study suggests that Neanderthals hunted and killed cave lions and used their body parts as cultural objects.