Early Europeans butchered elephants and made tools from their bones 400,000 years ago

Analysis of several sites near modern day Rome in central Italy shows “consistent” evidence that ancient humans regularly slaughtered the giant mammals for meat and raw materials View 3 Images Ancient humans regularly slaughtered the giant mammals for meat and raw materials (Image: Getty Images)

Early Europeans butchered elephants and made tools from their bones 400,000 years ago, reveals new research. ‌

Analysis of several sites near modern day Rome in central Italy shows “consistent” evidence that ancient humans regularly slaughtered the giant mammals for meat and raw materials. ‌

Dr Beniamino Mecozzi said: “Our study shows how, 400,000 years ago in the area of Rome, human groups were able to exploit an extraordinary resource like the elephant - not only for food, bu