Neanderthals hunted cave lions at least 48,000 years ago, and feasted on their meat, ancient bones reveal

• Neanderthals skillfully hunted giant cave lions, a study showed for the first time. 
• The findings suggest the animals were carefully pelted, maybe for some kind of ritualistic purpose.
• It adds to a body of evidence suggesting Neanderthals weren't the brutes we once thought they were. 

Neanderthals hunted cave lions with wooden spears and feasted on their meat at least 48,000 years ago, according to a study of ancient bones.