“The human foot is among the physiological structures that finest show our complicated evolutionary history, and amongst the bones it is made up of, the heel plays an essential function: it is the very first structure to touch the ground when strolling, cushioning the effect and transferring the forces to press us forward,” stated Professor Maria Giovanna Belcastro, a scientist at the University of Bologna.

“The 3D analysis of the fossil heels of our ancient cousins, the Neanderthals, has actually for that reason enabled us to highlight both a remarkable biomechanical adjustment to endure heavy loads and rough surfaces, and the effect of modern-day life and shoes on our feet.”

For the research study, the scientists utilized 3D scans of 7 Neanderthal heel bones, or calcanei, and 64 from Humankind

The Neanderthal sample consisted of specimens from La Ferrassie, La Chapelle, Regourdou, El Sidrón and Spy.

The Humankind sample varied from Ice Age hunter-gatherers to homeowners of 19th- and 20th-century Bologna.

Utilizing a method called geometric morphometrics, which catches the shape of a bone with numerous digital points, the researchers discovered that Neanderthal heel bones were regularly unique from those of every contemporary human group.

Compared to Humankindthe Neanderthal calcaneus was much shorter front to back, larger side to side and taller from leading to bottom.

The authors translate this as a tougher bone fit to bring heavy loads and strolling cross countries.

The total size of Neanderthal heel bones fell within the series of modern-day people, so the difference depends on shape.

“The effectiveness of the heel shows the total body structure of Neanderthals, which is defined by an amazing muscular and bone mass and a very extreme level of exercise,” Professor Belcastro stated.

“These physical qualities show an adjustment targeted at promoting a higher load-bearing capability on the back of the foot and a high movement on irregular ground.”

Early Humankind from the Middle East, dated to approximately 120,000 to 90,000 years earlier, and later on hunter-gatherers revealed characteristics looking like the Neanderthal pattern, though less noticable.

Those groups are believed to have actually been extremely mobile and most likely strolled barefoot or in soft foot coverings.

The most inactive group, the Bologna sample, whose members constantly used heavy shoes and boots, had the most slim heel bones.

“The morphology of our skeleton is not just the item of a stringent hereditary program, however likewise the repercussion of physical stimuli and our every day life practices,” Professor Belcastro stated.

“The outcomes of this research study for that reason use an essential contribution to much better comprehend how our forefathers relocated their natural surroundings and open interesting potential customers for discussion in between evolutionary sociology and medical orthopedics.”

The research study was released in the October 2026 problem of the Journal of Human Evolution

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Rita Sorrentino et al2026. Neanderthal’s heel: How the Neanderthal’s external calcaneal shape distinctively varies from that of modern-day human beings. Journal of Human Evolution 219: 103887; doi: 10.1016/ j.jhevol.2026.103887