Fossilised remains of extinct big cats called cave lions display evidence of butchery, showing that Neanderthals had the skills to take on top predators
The findings represent the "earliest direct evidence of a large predator being hunted and killed in human history," researcher Gabriele Russo told Newsweek.
Ancient humanity was almost wiped out about 900,000 years ago when the global population dwindled to around 1,280 reproducing individuals, according to a new study. What’s more, the population of early human ancestors stayed this small for about 117,000 years.