Archaeological discovery in Germany suggests early humans hunted mammoths

Recent excavations at the Breitenbach-Schneidemühle site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, have uncovered evidence suggesting that early modern humans may have actively hunted mammoths rather than merely scavenging their remains.

Findings from 2026 excavations include mammoth bones featuring cut marks, indicating the animals were butchered for meat, hides, and other resources. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that early inhabitants of the region primarily collected ivory from animals that had already died.

Breitenbach-Schneidemühle is recognized as the largest Aurignacian open-air site in western Eurasia, dating back between 32,000 and 42,000 years. While researcher Olaf Jöris of the MONREPOS center notes that these communities relied mainly on reindeer, the mammoth remains suggest these giants provided significant amounts of meat and valuable materials for tools and ornaments.