Cut marks on the metatarsus (foot bone) and phalanx of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) have revealed that ancient humans began using the skin of these powerful predators to protect themselves from the cold at least 300,000 years ago. .
A team of researchers from the University of Tübingen examined the footprints found in the Paleolithic archaeological site of Schöningen, in Lower Saxony (Germany), as detailed in an article published in the Journal of Human Evolution, and has come to the conclusion that the Wearing bearskins is probably a key adaptation of early humans to the northern climate.
"Cut marks on the bones are often interpreted as an indication of the use of the meat," explains archaeologist Ivo Verheijen. "But there is hardly any meat on the hands and feet. In this case, we can attribute the very fine and precise signals to the careful removal of the skin," he adds.
A bear's winter fur is made up of long outer hairs that form an airy protective coat and short, dense hairs that provide particularly good insulation. These mammals, including the extinct cave bears, required a highly insulating coat to hibernate.
"The newly discovered markings are an indication that around 300,000 years ago, people living in northern Europe - probably extinct Homo heidelbergensis - were able to survive the winter thanks in part to the warmth provided by bear skins," says Verheijen.
The Schöningen site was famous until now as the place where the world's oldest spears were discovered, which played a crucial role in the origins of hunting. "We have some indications that people there beat bears. If only adult animals are found at an archaeological site, this is generally considered an indication of hunting: in Schöningen, all bear bones and teeth belonged to adult individuals." says the researcher in a statement.
In addition, Ivo Verheijen has revealed that the bear's skin must be removed shortly after the animal's death, otherwise the hair is lost and the skin becomes useless. "Since the specimen was skinned, it couldn't have been dead for very long," he explains.
The location of the cut marks indicates that cave bears were also exploited for their pelts. "Then the animals were not only used for food, but their fur was also essential for survival in the cold," says Nicholas Conard, director of the research project in Schöningen.
