Neanderthal groups living along the southern coast of Europe gathered shellfish through every season around 115,000 years ago, according to a new study from researchers working in Spain. The work focused on remains from Los Aviones Cave and adds fresh evidence about how Neanderthals managed coastal food sources long before modern humans reached many parts of Europe.
Scientists from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Burgos, and University of Cantabria led the research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Their analysis showed Neanderthals collected shellfish during every part of the year, though colder months saw heavier activity. Most harvesting took place between late autumn and early spring.
Archaeologists have argued for years about whether Neanderthals used marine resources in an organized way or gathered shellfish only when food grew scarce. Earlier views often linked seasonal planning and regular seafood use with Homo sapiens. The findings from Los Aviones Cave point in another direction.
Researchers studied limpets and small sea snails left behind by Neanderthal groups. The shells preserved oxygen isotope signals formed during growth. Those chemical changes reflect seawater temperatures at different times of the year. By tracing the pattern inside each shell, the team identified when people collected and ate the animals.
The results showed a clear pattern instead of random gathering. Neanderthals returned to coastal areas throughout the year, though winter and cooler months drew stronger attention. Scientists compared this behavior with later Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic populations from southern Europe and found strong similarities.
Cold-season harvesting likely offered practical advantages. Many shellfish species contain more edible meat during reproductive periods in cooler months. Warm weather also increases the risk of spoilage and harmful algae blooms near the coast. Avoiding heavy summer collection reduced health risks tied to contaminated shellfish.
Researchers argue the evidence points to planning and knowledge of seasonal marine cycles. Marine foods probably formed one part of a wider diet, though shellfish still supplied protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Those nutrients support brain function and reproductive health.
The study adds to growing evidence showing Neanderthals possessed advanced survival skills and flexible food strategies. Earlier discoveries across Europe already showed they produced tools, used pigments, and occupied different environments over long periods. The seasonal shellfish pattern from Los Aviones Cave adds another layer to that picture.
Southern Spain continues to play a major role in research on Neanderthal life. Coastal caves from the Iberian Peninsula preserve rare traces of daily activity, including food remains, pigments, and ornaments linked with these ancient populations.
The shell remains from Los Aviones Cave now stand among the oldest known examples of structured marine resource gathering in human history.
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