Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” on German lakeshore

Neanderthals, “Extinction,” and Genetic Absorption

• Several commenters argue that saying Neanderthals “died out” or were “outcompeted” oversimplifies a likely gradual absorption into Homo sapiens, given ~3% Neanderthal DNA in non-Africans.
• Others counter that 3% suggests they were demographically or competitively disadvantaged; a true equal “merger” would leave more of their genome.
• Distinction is made between biological extinction (no fully Neanderthal individuals) and genetic continuity through admixture.

DNA Percentages and Population Genetics

• Thread clarifies confusion between “% of genes shared between species” vs “% of your genome from Neanderthals.”
• 3% Neanderthal ancestry is likened to having one fully Neanderthal ancestor among 32 great^3-grandparents.
• Some note that ancestral population sizes and selection, not initial ratios, determine how much DNA persists. Advantageous Neanderthal genes could become overrepresented.

Boiling Without Pottery and Archaeological Assumptions

• Long discussion on boiling in perishable containers: bark, hides, stomachs, bamboo, baskets, even paper or plastic, as long as water keeps the container below ignition temperature.
• Multiple anecdotes from school and scouting experiments support this physics.
• Commenters are split on how widespread the “no boiling before pottery” view really was among archaeologists; some see the paper as overstating a prior consensus.
• Stone boiling (hot rocks into water-filled pits/containers) and ground/clay-lined pits are mentioned as likely pre-ceramic techniques.

How Neanderthals Might Have Rendered Fat

• Suggestions: hide or bark “pots,” ground pits with hot rocks, carved stone or skull vessels.
• Consensus: many plausible methods exist but most would biodegrade, so specific techniques are archaeologically “unclear.”

Cognition, Language, and Competition

• Several argue activities like systematic fat rendering imply planning, collaboration, and some form of language or rich gestural communication.
• Others emphasize language is a spectrum; Neanderthals may have had less symbolic/abstract capacity but were clearly “people.”
• Some criticize old narratives that tied sapiens’ success solely to language differences.

Interpreting the “Understood Fat’s Nutritional Value” Claim

• Some see this as clickbait anthropomorphism: animals also exploit fat without theoretical nutrition knowledge.
• Others think it’s reasonable shorthand for practical, experience-based understanding and deliberate extraction.

AI Illustration

• Commenters note the article image appears AI-generated; some other outlets explicitly label it as such.
• Brief debate over whether using AI makes the credited creator less of an “artist,” and about quality issues in the image.