The Claim
Dental calculus from Neanderthals in Spy Cave, Belgium, contained ancient DNA from woolly rhinoceros and wild sheep, while dental calculus from Neanderthals in El Sidrón Cave, Spain, contained ancient DNA from mushrooms, pine nuts, and moss, indicating regional differences in diet between these two populations.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Analysis of ancient plaque from Neanderthal teeth in Belgium revealed DNA from large herbivores like woolly rhinoceros, suggesting a meat-heavy diet, while plaque from Spain showed DNA from plants like mushrooms and pine nuts, suggesting a plant-based diet.
See the scientific wording
Dental calculus from Neanderthals in Spy Cave, Belgium, contained DNA from woolly rhinoceros and wild sheep, indicating a diet dominated by large herbivores typical of steppe environments, while Neanderthals from El Sidrón Cave, Spain, showed no animal DNA but traces of mushrooms, pine nuts, and moss, suggesting a plant-based diet from forested habitats.
What people eat changes the kinds of bacteria living in their mouths. Eating meat supports bacteria that break down proteins and fats, while eating plants like nuts, mushrooms, and moss supports bacteria that break down sugars and fibers. These bacterial communities get trapped in tooth tartar, preserving a record of what was eaten. The types of bacteria found in the tartar match the local environment — meat-eaters lived where large animals were common, and plant-eaters lived where forests provided edible plants.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Neanderthal behaviour, diet, and disease inferred from ancient DNA in dental calculus
Scientists found traces of rhino and sheep DNA in Neanderthal tooth tartar from Belgium, meaning they ate those animals, while Spanish Neanderthals had DNA from mushrooms and nuts, meaning they ate plants—showing they ate different things based on where they lived.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.