Grisly Lair in Italy Was Where Ancient Hyenas Feasted on Their Neanderthal Prey
SOPHIE ANKEL, BUSINESS INSIDER
10 MAY 2021
Archaeologists have discovered the fossilized remains of nine Neanderthals who were hunted and mauled to death by a pack of hyenas in a cave just outside Rome, the Italian Culture Ministry announced Saturday.
The fossilized bones, which included skullcaps and broken jawbones, were discovered in the Guattari Cave in San Felice Circeo in Italy's Lazio region. They are believed to have belonged to seven adult males, one female, and one young boy.
Scientists from the Archaeological Superintendency of Latina and the University of Tor Vergata in Rome believe the bones come from different time periods. The oldest remains dating from between 100,000 and 90,000 years ago. The other eight Neanderthals are believed to date from 50,000-68,000 years ago.