https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-42764-0.pdf
First direct evidence of lion hunting and
the early use of a lion pelt by Neanderthals

Abstract
During the Upper Paleolithic, lions become an
important theme in Paleolithic art and are more
frequent in anthropogenic faunal assemblages.
However, the relationship between hominins and
lions in earlier periods is poorly known and
primarily interpreted as interspecies
competition. Here we present new evidence for
Neanderthal-cave lion interactions during the
Middle Paleolithic. We report new evidence of
hunting lesions on the 48,000 old cave lion
skeleton found at Siegsdorf (Germany) that
attest to the earliest direct instance of a
large predator kill in human history. A
comparative analysis of a partial puncture to
a rib suggests that the fatal stab was
delivered with a wooden thrusting spear. We
also present the discovery of distal lion
phalanges at least 190,000 old from
Einhornhöhle (Germany), representing the
earliest example of the use of cave lion skin
by Neanderthals in Central Europe. Our study
provides novel evidence on a new dimension of
Neanderthal behavioral complexity.

"Te cave lion phalanges from Einhornhöhle
provide earliest insights into the potential
use of lion pelt by Middle Paleolithic hominins,
adding to the existing body of evidence that
suggests the exploitation of large predators,
including previous observations of skinning
cut marks on lion phalanges, during the Middle
Paleolithic."