Palaeontology
Researchers have re-examined a 125,000-year-old straight-tusked elephant skeleton found in Germany in 1948, confirming that Neanderthals hunted and butchered the animal with a wooden spear lodged in its ribs. The findings, detailed in a recent Scientific Reports study, provide vivid evidence of Neanderthal big-game hunting skills. The elephant, a prime male over 3.5 metres tall, shows clear cut marks from flint tools.
Imeripotiwa na AI
The end-Permian extinction, which occurred 252 million years ago, eliminated over 80 percent of marine species, yet many ocean ecosystems maintained complex structures with top predators surviving. A new study of seven global marine sites reveals that despite severe losses, five ecosystems retained at least four trophic levels. This suggests ecosystems' resilience depends on their unique species compositions, offering insights for modern climate threats.