Ancient elephant butchery site reveals how early humans processed meat

Greg Howard
11th October, 2025

Ancient elephant butchery site reveals how early humans processed meat

A well-preserved lower molar from the straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) discovered at the Casal Lumbroso site.

Image adapted from: Mecozzi et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Located near Rome, Italy, the Casal Lumbroso site shows evidence of human activity around an elephant carcass approximately 400,000 years ago
  • Hominins intentionally fractured elephant bones, likely for marrow extraction and raw material, demonstrating planned resource use
  • Small stone tools were used alongside the larger bones, suggesting a toolkit adapted for processing animal carcasses and potentially other tasks
The study of early human behaviour during the Middle Pleistocene (roughly 781,000 to 129,000 years ago) is challenging due to the limited and fragmented nature of the archaeological record. A key question revolves around the complexity of early hominin technology, particularly regarding the use of bone tools. For a long time, it was believed that bone tool use was rare and opportunistic, consisting of simple, expedient tools made from whatever bone fragments were available[2]. However, recent discoveries have begun to challenge this view, suggesting a more sophisticated understanding and planned exploitation of bone resources. Researchers from Sapienza Università di Roma, Museo delle Civiltà, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), and Soprintendenza Archeologia Roma have been investigating the site of Casal Lumbroso, located northwest of Rome, Italy.[1] This site contains paleontological and archaeological remains dating to approximately 404,000 years ago, associated with a high sea level event (MIS 11c). The findings indicate a wooded, humid environment and the presence of a Palaeoloxodon antiquus (straight-tusked elephant) carcass, along with remains of other animals like Stephanorhinus (rhinoceros), bovines, deer, and smaller mammals. The core of the research focuses on the elephant carcass and the associated lithic (stone tool) assemblage. Taphonomic analysis – the study of how remains accumulate and modify over time – revealed evidence of human exploitation of the elephant not only for food, but also as a source of raw material. Specifically, numerous elephant bone fragments were intentionally fractured, and some exhibited flake removals, indicating deliberate shaping. Crucially, microscopic wear traces were identified on these fragments, confirming their use as tools. This discovery strengthens the growing body of evidence suggesting that Middle Pleistocene hominins possessed a more advanced understanding of bone technology than previously thought. The intentional fracturing and shaping of elephant bones for tool production demonstrates planning depth – the ability to anticipate future needs and prepare accordingly. This contrasts with the earlier model of immediate, expedient toolmaking[2]. The site adds to the importance of the Rome area for understanding this period, alongside other sites like Castel di Guido and La Polledrara di Cecanibbio. Indeed, the Castel di Guido site, also in Italy, has previously yielded a remarkable 98 verified human-made bone tools, the highest number found from pre-modern hominins to date[2]. This earlier research showed standardized blanks being produced from elephant diaphysis fragments, alongside a diversity of tool types, including bone smoothers and pieces that foreshadowed later Aurignacian technology. Furthermore, the Casal Lumbroso findings align with observations from other sites across Europe, Asia, and the Levant, where elephant remains show evidence of butchering and marrow extraction[3]. The Revadim Quarry in Israel, for example, provides direct evidence of Acheulian stone tools used in the consumption of large game, including elephants, with fat residue identified on the tools themselves[3]. This demonstrates the importance of large animals like elephants as a food source, and the use of stone tools in their processing. Interestingly, the Schöningen 13 II-4 site in Germany provides a different perspective on early hominin tool use, revealing wooden spears alongside butchered horse remains[4]. While the spears are notable, the site also contains a substantial bone tool assemblage, including ribs used to resharpen flint tools, and horse innominates used as anvils for knapping. The Schöningen site also highlights the multi-purpose nature of bone tools, with some being used as hammers and percussors[4]. The Casal Lumbroso research builds upon these earlier findings, demonstrating that hominins were actively exploiting elephant carcasses for both nutritional and technological resources. The intentional fracturing of bones and the presence of use-wear traces provide clear evidence of deliberate tool production. While the reasons for the limited development of this technology beyond this initial stage remain unclear[2], the findings at Casal Lumbroso contribute significantly to our understanding of the cognitive and technological capabilities of Middle Pleistocene hominins.

Evolution

References

Main Study

1) From meat to raw material: the Middle Pleistocene elephant butchery site of Casal Lumbroso (Rome, central Italy)

Published 8th October, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328840

Related Studies

2) Elephant bones for the Middle Pleistocene toolmaker.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256090

3) Fat residue and use-wear found on Acheulian biface and scraper associated with butchered elephant remains at the site of Revadim, Israel.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118572

4) Lower Paleolithic bone tools from the 'Spear Horizon' at Schöningen (Germany).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.09.012


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