Neanderthal flat feet provided stability for carrying heavy loads

Researchers at the University of Bologna analyzed the three dimensional shape of Neanderthal heels to understand how these ancient humans navigated their environment.

The team compared the fossilized heels of seven Neanderthals with those of 64 modern humans, including hunter-gatherers from the Pleistocene and farmers from the Iron Age. The study found that Neanderthals possessed shorter, wider, and taller heels than modern humans. These physical traits suggest a biomechanical adaptation to their lifestyle.

The analysis indicates that Neanderthals had flat feet that allowed for greater flexibility and mobility. This structure helped them maximize stability and reduce impact stress while carrying heavy loads across rough or mountainous terrain. The researchers also observed how modern lifestyles have changed human anatomy. They found that prehistoric hunter-gatherers had robust heels similar to those of Neanderthals because they traveled long distances barefoot or in soft footwear. In contrast, modern postindustrial humans have weaker heels.

The team attributes this change to sedentary lives and the use of rigid shoes, which limit natural foot movements and reduce the physical stimuli that shape bone structure.