Neanderthals walked with flatter, inward-rolling feet shaped by heavy bodies and rough terrain, according to a 3D analysis of fossil heel bones published in the October 2026 issue of the Journal of Human Evolution.
The human foot demonstrates a complex evolutionary history; the heel touches the ground first, cushioning impact and transmitting forces to push the body forward. Researchers used 3D scans of seven Neanderthal heel bones and 64 from modern humans to examine these structures.
“The 3D analysis of the fossil heels of our ancient cousins, the Neanderthals, has therefore allowed us to highlight both an extraordinary biomechanical adaptation to withstand heavy loads and rough terrains, and the impact of modern life and footwear on our feet,” said Professor Maria Giovanna Belcastro, a researcher at the University of Bologna.
The Neanderthal sample included specimens from La Ferrassie, La Chapelle, Regourdou, El Sidrón, and Spy. Using geometric morphometrics, scientists found that Neanderthal calcanei were consistently distinct from every modern human group, measuring shorter front to back, wider side to side, and taller top to bottom.
Early Homo sapiens from the Middle East, dated between 120,000 and 90,000 years ago, showed traits resembling the Neanderthal pattern, though less pronounced. Those groups likely walked barefoot or in soft foot coverings, while the most sedentary Bologna sample habitually wore heavy shoes and had the most slender heel bones.
“The robustness of the heel reflects the overall body structure of Neanderthals, which is characterized by a remarkable muscular and bone mass and an extremely intense level of physical activity,” Professor Maria Giovanna Belcastro said.
The findings appeared in the October 2026 issue of the Journal of Human Evolution. The research offers a fundamental contribution to understanding how ancestors moved in their natural environment and opens prospects for dialogue between evolutionary anthropology and clinical orthopedics.
“The morphology of our skeleton is not only the product of a strict genetic program, but also the consequence of physical stimuli and our daily life habits,” Professor Maria Giovanna Belcastro said.
