Neanderthal diet at Vindija and Neanderthal predation: The evidence from stable isotopes

Archeological analysis of faunal remains and of lithic and bone tools has s uggested that hunting of medium to large mammals was a major element of Nea nderthal subsistence. Plant foods are almost invisible in the archeological record, and it is impossible to estimate accurately their dietary importan ce. However, stable isotope (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) analysis of mammal bone collagen provides a direct measure of diet and has been applied to two Neanderthals and various faunal species from Vindija Cave, Croatia. The is otope evidence overwhelmingly points to the Neanderthals behaving as top-le vel carnivores, obtaining almost all of their dietary protein from animal s ources. Earlier Neanderthals in France and Belgium have yielded similar res ults, and a pattern of European Neanderthal adaptation as carnivores is eme rging. These data reinforce current taphonomic assessments of associated fa unal elements and make it unlikely that the Neanderthals were acquiring ani mal protein principally through scavenging. Instead, these findings portray them as effective predators.