Secret to how prehistoric humans survived winter uncovered

Prehistoric humans living in northern Europe over 300,000 years ago used bear skin to survive the harsh winters, a new study reveals. The study, published recently in the Journal of Human Evolution, examined traces on bones from the archaeological site of Schöningen in Lower Saxony and found cut marks on the foot and toe bone remains of a cave bear discovered at the stone age site. “These newly discovered cut marks are an indication that about 300,000 years ago, people in northern Europe were able to survive in winter thanks in part to warm bear skins,” Tubingen researchers Ivo Verheijen explained. Scientists say the old stone age site plays a crucial role in the understanding of early humans and the origin of hunting since “the world’s oldest spears were discovered here.” Usually, when only adult animals are found at an archaeological site, archaeologists consider it likely evidence of hunting, and at Schöningen they say all the bear bones and teeth belonged to adult individuals.