Researchers have reconstructed the life history of Vittrup Man, a forager-turned-farmer who lived over 5,000 years ago in what is now Denmark, by analyzing isotopes in his teeth. They found that he was from coastal Scandinavia, moved to Denmark later in life, and was likely killed in an act of ritual violence. His diet and genetic ancestry were also revealed, shedding light on his life story. The findings provide unprecedented detail about a person from such a distant past and may help understand similar preserved remains.
Analysis of the mineral makeup of megalodon's teeth confirms that the ancient shark was warm-blooded, a trait that likely contributed to its success and eventual extinction. Researchers estimate that megalodon had an average body temperature of about 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), allowing it to be a dynamic predator and tolerate colder waters. While warm-bloodedness may have provided advantages, such as a broader range and efficient digestion, it also required a high food intake to sustain metabolism. The decline in ocean temperatures and sea levels, potentially leading to scarcity of its prey, may have contributed to megalodon's extinction. The study provides the first empirical evidence of megalodon's warm-bloodedness, shedding light on the enigmatic species that is primarily known through its teeth and a few vertebral specimens in the fossil record.
