Virtual Book Blast For
Savage Land Book 1, Endangered Species
(with a shoutout for Book 2, Badlands)
Jacqui Murry writes wonderful books about life before modern history. I am so pleased to be a stop on her blog tour. She is here to discuss two of her books and give us some information on the life of Neanderthals. So, Jacqui, the blog is yours.
Thank you, John. It is a pleasure to be here. When you originally agreed to host a stop, you expressed interest in what Neanderthals ate. So, let’s go to that subject first.
What Did Neanderthals Eat
–John Howell
Neanderthals lived in a vast swath of Eurasia, from the Atlantic shore to the Altai Mountains in Siberia. They migrated often in response to the movement of herds, the fruiting of trees, and the weather. Evidence left behind in their home-of-choice, caves, shows they stayed there for only a few weeks to a month before moving on.
Why was their lifestyle nomadic? And once we understand the ‘why,’ what is the proof?
History of nomads today
Neanderthals were hunter-gatherers who lived in an area until they ran through its resources and then moved on to a new area. They never stripped it, understanding that enough must remain for regrowth so they could come back and re-harvest. They adapted their diet to the resources that were most readily available and easily accessible.
Feeding a tribe of ten-twenty individuals (a common Neanderthal tribe size) for seven days requires the equivalent of three reindeer. Though common lore shows them as meat eaters, they ate a surprisingly varied diet depending upon whether they lived in forested landscapes, grasslands, mountainous regions, or a seaside (where they ate fish, mollusks, seals, and even dolphins). In Southern Europe–like Germany, where they were first discovered–they ate lots of crabs, clams, fish, and seabirds.
What did they eat?
Specifics of what they ate comes from analyzing their teeth, bones, scat, and fragments in their living spaces. Here’s a partial list: meat, birds, groundhogs, rats, mushrooms, plants, nuts, fruit, nuts, tubers, grasses, cattails, insects, moss, seafood, and other foods that varied depending on location.
When they ate meat, killing and processing were systematic, not a free-for-all. They were savvy enough to know and value the richest parts of the animal–internal organs, eyes, tongue–but used all parts. For example, fat for its purposes, tendons for cordage, and gut sacks for bags. They liked sweet flavors, so were happy to find honey to add to their diet.
At this point in human evolution, food was eaten raw and cooked. Often, the food Neanderthals ate required careful preparation and benefited from the addition of spices and herbs. Many leftovers and scraps were combined into stews. Their expertise in cooking foods was so advanced that we now consider it a strong indicator of their intelligence, akin to modern man.
How did they eat?
Eating large pieces of meat was done by holding a chunk between their teeth and cutting some off with a cutter, then passing the large piece on to the next person around the fire. Leaves were used as plates and then eaten. Bark was also used and then repurposed as tinder for fires. They didn’t use utensils. Neanderthals threw away nothing they could use.
At one point, scientists thought the reason Neanderthals became extinct was because large game disappeared. When we came to understand that Neanderthals were omnivores like you and I, this theory fell out of favor.
There’s a lot of interesting information on how Neanderthals cooked their meals, but I’ll save that for the article on that subject.
Blurbs
Savage Land is the third prehistoric man trilogy in the series, Man. Vs. Nature. Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth’s history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Each tribe starring in the story considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face.
In Endangered Species, Book One of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe must join with Fierce’s Tall Ones—a Homo sapiens tribe–on a cross-continent journey that starts in the Siberian Mountains. The goal: a new homeland far from the devastation caused by the worst volcanic eruption ever experienced by Man. How they collaborate despite their instinctive distrust could end the journey before it starts or forge new relationships that will serve both well in the future.
In Badlands, Book Two, the tribes must split up, each independently crossing what Nature has turned into a wasteland. They struggle against starvation, thirst, and desperate enemies more feral than human. If they quit or worse, lose, they will never reunite with their groups or escape the most deadly natural disaster ever faced by our kind.
Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to potentially life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.
Book purchase information:
Endangered Species—Print, digital, audio available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DJ9Y7PQ8
Badlands—digital on presale now: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DFCV5YFT
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Editor: Anneli Purchase
Author bio:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.
Jacqui’s Social Media contacts:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/
Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher
X: http://twitter.com/worddreams
Website: https://jacquimurray.net
Marketing pieces
Trailer
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 of Endangered Species, 75,000 years ago, What we call Germany today.
Jun was lost. Again. He gripped his thick-shafted spear in one hand, throwing stones in the other, and brushed aside the prickle of fear that flooded his body.
It wasn’t being alone that worried him. This was his first time hunting with the clan. He’d wanted to do well.
Initially, Jun had kept pace with the hunters, his strides long and easy, eyes firmly locked on the back of the male in front of him, but—as too often happened—he became distracted by a bird’s call and wandered off to find it, maybe talk to it. Someone shouted his name, far away and so muted, he barely heard it. He didn’t respond, of course. Upright voices would frighten the bird if it hadn’t already fled. He hunkered into the underbrush, reduced his breathing, and squatted there long … longer … but the bird fell silent.
I’ll look for it next time I’m out here.
He stood. Feet spread, ears perked, he twisted around, and to his horror, didn’t recognize where he was. Nor did he hear the sounds of his fellow hunters moving along Deer’s trail.
I wandered farther than I intended, and hurried away, through the leaves and dirt, hoping to find Deer’s trace or his clan’s prints, but found neither so he shouted. The sound echoed harshly through the trees.
No response.
They can’t be far. By now, they must know I’m not with them.
He hugged his arms around his chest, suddenly cold, and tilted his head up. Sun had moved, a lot. Instead of worrying him, it comforted him.
I’ll stay here until they return.
He crouched, picked at the forest’s hearty overgrowth, ate a few worms, and waited. No one came. He called several times, but all he heard were insects, a snake slithering, and squirrels chattering.
I’ll go where Deer is.
He knew where the herd headed because he’d followed it several times to where it ate the fresh young grasses, safe, it thought, from prying eyes. He trotted down what he hoped would end up their trail, searching for trace, listening for the rustle of hide-covered bodies passing through dense brush carrying carcasses. Finally, later than expected, he found Deer’s path, but they didn’t stop in their usual place. They must have known they were being stalked—the hunters were noisy—and trotted into a scree pile as though knowing that would conceal prints, which it did. Jun could either keep wandering until he re-located the clan’s path or make his way back to the camp.
He checked Sun, but it was now hidden by clouds.
He crouched, comfortable in his waiting. No one would be surprised. He often returned late with tales of an excursion rather than armloads of meat to feed the clan. The group would have ejected him, forcing him to make his way alone, but his mother was the clan healer and wouldn’t allow it. She was training him to take over when her stiff joints and failing eyesight meant she could no longer fulfill her duties. He had no interest in illnesses, but understood he must fulfill some duty or lose the tribe’s protection. As a result, he assisted her if he couldn’t avoid it and learned enough about herbs and mulches and poultices to be tolerated.
None of which helped him now.
I can’t wait, and scrambled up a hillock, found a landmark he knew, and headed toward it along a debris-laden forest floor, head up, eyes shut to concentrate on a panoply of delightful odors. He heard the hiss but as background noise to his meandering daydreams. By the time it stiffened his hackles and his eyes popped open, it was too late.
Snake!
Jun stabbed with his spear, to frighten not kill, but missed. Snake didn’t. A blur of movement and pain seared through Jun’s body. He collapsed with a thud and Snake slithered away. Jun attempted to stand and crumpled.
I’ll crawl along the path. The hunters will see me on their way back. Sweat broke out across his forehead. As will predators.
He scuttled into the dirt-clotted root ball of a towering tree, sharing the cozy space with worms, slugs, and spiders.
I’ll call out if I hear someone.
He tamped down the pain and dug through his shoulder sack. No surprise, he forgot to restock his treatments. He tried to blink the dust from his eyes and then rubbed, using the cleanest part of a grubby finger. He mulled over what to do as his ankle swelled bigger than his calf and heat flushed through his body. Everything around him spun and his eyes drooped. The more he strained to think, the more his head throbbed. He tucked his legs against his chest and imagined Snake’s poison infecting his insides.
How do I stop it before it stops me?
He solved it by passing out.
The scrape of a foot awoke Jun. Every part of his body hurt, but he managed to crack one eye. An Upright female not his kind strode toward him, a spear in one hand and a blistering frown on her face. He should say something, but his mouth was too dry.
She acts like she knows me.
He tried to rise, but no part of his body cooperated so he stared at her, worried and somewhat disturbed by the dark fury she directed at him.
Why is she so angry? I’ve done nothing to her.
Seeing his swollen red ankle did nothing to soften her attitude. Disgust washed over her in waves and her fists clenched a rough-hewn lance so tightly, the whites of her knuckles gleamed.
There is something familiar about her….
She had the small skull, long limbs, and narrow torso of a Primitive, lacking the musculature common to Jun’s kind. And it hit him.
“Xhosa?”
She growled in response, a sound so like hatred, he would have pulled back if the tree trunk didn’t stop him.
The female Xhosa visited his dreams often and they got along well. They discussed topics no one shared his interest in—where the herds went during their migrations, why Spider’s thin silken strands were so strong, why Sun left if Moon arrived. Did one orb fear the other or had they arranged to share the sky in this way? These types of curious queries annoyed everyone in his tribe, but excited Xhosa.
“Why are you here? I only see you in dreams.” He squiggled, attempted to stand, and collapsed. “Am I dreaming?”
“No, Shanadar. You have forced me to come in person. Night is approaching. It is not safe to be out here alone. Return to your homebase. I have plans for you and being eaten by Cat isn’t one of them.”
Her lips didn’t move nor were her words the clan’s, but he understood what she said. He wanted to ask why she cared if the night stalkers ate him, but what he said was something else entirely.
“Snake poisoned me.”
Shock flashed through her eyes and she scowled. “I see. You won’t be leaving on schedule.”
His head spun, started to ask what schedule, but stopped himself. Whatever the answer no longer mattered.
“Xhosa. Snake killed me. Well, there are treatments for Snake’s venom, but I didn’t bring them. Mother has them, but I can’t get to her fast enough. And the hunters—I don’t know what happened to them. They should have come by now….”
His voice trailed off. Talking exhausted him. Still, he owed her one more explanation. “Whatever your plan, it can no longer include me.”
She dismissed him with a flip of her fingers. “You’re not going to die, Shanadar. Come. My kith can take care of you.”
“Shanadar,” he mumbled. “She keeps calling me Shanadar.” She didn’t explain why and he didn’t ask. Or mind.
But he did ask about kith as Xhosa yanked him to his feet—foot, the injured one dangling uselessly above the ground—encircled her arm around his waist and draped his around her shoulder before replying.
“You call your group a clan. Ours is kith. The Tall Ones are a band, the Canis Pack.”
Tall Ones? He tried to make sense of her answer, but the words got lost in his muddy thoughts.
I’ll ask later.
They slid through the forest, well beyond his clan’s area and Deer’s favorite eating spots, past a tree tall enough to touch Sun. He’d never seen it before. Did it just grow? Soon, they reached a gathering of Primitives the size of Jun’s clan crouched by an overhang. All had low foreheads, prominent brow ridges, and body shapes like a shorter version of the tall slender strangers who occasionally passed through the clan’s territory—
That’s who she called Tall Ones!
The kith members wore long wraps or capes like Xhosa’s, unsewn, as though they simply cut a hole in a pelt big enough for their head to push through. No capes or wraps, and foot coverings were fur or bark strapped to feet.
But the dark, deep eyes, fixed on the new arrival, shone with intelligence. They blinked a greeting before resuming their work.
“They expected us?”
“No. They have adjusted to strangers trailing in here with me.”
Jun’s eyes popped open. “Other Uprights?”
She chuckled, the first smile he’d seen from her since she showed up. “Usually pawed and tailed.”
He had no idea what to ask about that and didn’t bother trying. Ignoring the growing ache in his leg took all his energy. She has much to explain, but it will wait until I recover.
Xhosa pushed him gently toward a boulder. “Crouch there.”
He collapsed. His good leg was numb. Even if she hadn’t told him to rest, he couldn’t have gone farther. The relief to his pounding ankle was overwhelming. He stilled his entire body, his breathing shallow as another Primitive approached, holding supplies eerily similar to those Jun’s mother carried. Then, before he could blink, she cut across Snake’s puncture and squeezed. He started to scream, but stopped because he felt nothing. The poison dried up and Xhosa scrubbed the puncture. Once she deemed it clean, she applied moss to suck out new impurities, as his mother would. All Xhosa’s ministrations were like his mother’s except Xhosa’s didn’t hurt. Mother’s always did.
Xhosa rotated back on her heels with a grunt of either satisfaction or hopelessness. Jun was too hot, tired, and sick to care.
She stood. “I will deposit you where I found you. You will awake groggy, feeling unwell, but you will be fine.”
When I awake? What does she mean?
“I am—”
But Xhosa wasn’t listening
Fiction Favorites 
[…] Guest Post – Jacqui Murry – Savage Land Series – Endangered Species and Badlands […]
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Thank you for sharing, Charles
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Thanks for sharing this. I’ll drop in…
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🙂
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Isn’t it wonderful to see that Jacqui has another book out, John?!
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Yes it is, GP. Thank you for the supportive words.
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Thanks for coming by, GP. I am honored to visit John and his darling dogs. I hope they like the treats I brought (with John’s approval).
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We do.
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I don’t think John has much of a choice, Jacqui; the girls appear to run that household. [but don’t tell him I said that! lol]
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Ha ha ha
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I have a dog who’s like that, too. We are at his ‘beck and paw’.
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Interesting stuff. Eating the plates, too. That’s amazing.
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I thought this information was amazing too. Thanks, Craig.
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A lot of primitive tribes still do that, or use bark platters as tinder. They are not wasteful.
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Some more fascinating info about Neanderthals. Thanks for being part of the blog tour, John.
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It is such a pleasure. Thanks for the visit and support of Jacqui.
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Thanks so much, Darlene. I have been amazed at the life of Neanderthals, as I researched. I waited a long time in my trilogies for my characters to learn how to cook.
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Jacqui has done a lot of work into understanding prehistoric humans. Thanks for the information on their diet.
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She has indeed put in the work. Thanks for the visit. 😁
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Overall, they were pretty healthy, but they did have some of our illnesses despite their natural diet and lifestyle. I found that interesting.
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I enjoyed reading about what and how Neanderthals ate. Jacqui really does her research.
I can’t wait to read this! Great job, John.
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Thank you, Kymber but the kudos go to Jacqui. She is amazing in the amount of research she does for her books.
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I have another article on their cooking, which will include a recipe for “Neanderthal bread”. Who knew?
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That sounds so interesting! I sure didn’t know. 🙂
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Oh my! I was completely engrossed in that first chapter. Looks like I have to add yet more books to my TBR pile!
Thank you for sharing, John
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Thanks for the visit, Dale. Big smile here.
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😁
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Thanks so much, Dale. Their lives are as much thrillers as historical fiction. I hope you enjoy it.
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I don’t doubt I will!
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What interesting answers to some great questions. The book sounds fascinating too.
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I agree, Esther.
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Neanderthals had clever brains and no technology (well, they were making stone tools if that counts), no farming, no industrialization, no specialization of jobs. I like that a lot about them.
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This book looks fascinating to me, as does the whole series. I’m looking forward to reading it.
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It does sound good, Tim. Thanks.
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Thank you, Tim. I hope you enjoy it!
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I always pictured Neanderthals eating like wild animals, but you paint an entirely different picture, Jacqui. Thanks so much for sharing your research. So interesting. Thank you, John, for hosting!
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I agree with you, Jan. This is an eye opener. Thanks for the comment and support.
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They could use “plates” but also just eat off the bone (as we often do). But no utensils yet. I’m waiting to find those in an artifact trove.
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Another good post, Jacqui! I admit to being happy they cook their food over the raw of past 🙂 I’m with them about honey. Thanks for hosting, John!
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Yes honey has to be a universal like. Thanks, Denise.
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Honey is such a staple for our most ancient ancestors as well as modern survivalists. I can’t believe they found it in Egyptian tombs, still edible!
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The concept of sharing has been around forever. Neanderthals must have realized the importance of caring for everyone to help in the survival of the entire group.
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I think so. Always a good idea.
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I agree, Pete. Their groups were small and they couldn’t spare members. It just makes sense to value each individual.
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What an amazing excerpt! Many thanks for sharing, John!
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Thank you for the visit and comment, Nicholas.
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Thank you, Nicholas. Jun is the most transformative character in the book so it makes sense you-all meet him here.
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What! They did not eat Pizza! Anyway, it was interesting to read about what they ate. It was a great blog tour stop. I’ve read about half of the book and I love it.
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I agree that it is interesting, Thomas. I guess someone had to invent the pizza oven before pizza.
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Yes you are right, but unfortuntaly for them we got the wheel first
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Yes indeed. Try making a pizza on a wheel.
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You’ll be happy with one of my upcoming articles about how they cooked. It includes a recipe for bread!
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Wow that will indeed be interesting
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I was stunned to find someone who actually made the effort to cook as they would have and video’d it!
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I agree, that is very cool
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Just ordered my copy of Badlands. Woot. Woot. Can’t wait.
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Thank you, Sandra. Jacqui will be delighted.
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Thank you! You’ll like where that book takes our intrepid tribes!
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I could do without the rats and groundhogs, but the rest didn’t sound too bad. It’s interesting that they also used herbs and spices. Thanks for hosting, John!
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The herbs and spices caught my attention, too.
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Gotta wonder who was the first to put an herb on a piece of meat.
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They understood how certain herbs added nice flavor to food. We know this because they showed up in their teeth or gullet (or other places) where their only purpose would be flavor. It’s the same way scientists discovered how much Neanderthals understood about natural healing. Certain plants were found in their teeth/stomachs/other that had no purpose except healing.
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Fascinating! Thanks for the additional information, Jacqui.
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It is interesting Teri. I agree on the rats and groundhogs.
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I’m not sure how they tolerated rats. I suppose their stomachs managed bugs better than ours.
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I had no idea the Neanderthals’ diet was so varied!!
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I didn’t either, Liz
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They adapted their diet to where they lived–fish on seashores, meat among herds, vegetation where herds were less prevalent. They were omnivores which in part explains how they lasted so long.
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Makes perfect sense, of course!
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Thank you so much for hosting me, John. I am beyond excited to chat with your community. Thanks for the invite and sorry for being late to the party!
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You are not late, Jacqui. Just delayed. 😁
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I’m glad you included the bit about how researchers come to their conclusions. It’s rather amazing that those bits of Neanderthal life remain after 75K years. Fascinating. Another great stop, Jacqui, and how fun to see that Badlands is already available for preorder. Yay! Thanks for hosting, John. 🙂
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Always a pleasure to host talent, Diana. Thanks for the comments.
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A lot of supposition when you don’t have written history (or even when you do) so I appreciate it when smart minds connect the dots for me.
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This is rather enlightening. I’m learning a lot about Neanderthals. Thanks for sharing this, John!
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Thanks, Beem. Past culture is pretty interesting.
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I learned a lot too, Beem. Thanks for the comment.
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Truly fascinating!
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I agree.
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Thank you! And, I had to click through to your blog–two dogs who look that happy? I can’t wait to find out why!
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Aww, thank you, Jacqui. Wilson (the Old English Sheepdog) is a pet therapy dog who I rescued last year. Elsa, the Standard Poodle is a puppy mill survivor who has epilepsy. She’s a quirky ninja who’s very sweet. Most of the time. LOL We hope you enjoy our adventures. And thank you for the follow! We so appreciate it.
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BTW, this trilogy features several protowolves I think you’d like.
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thank you! I’ll check it out.
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Hi John, thanks for sharing this great post. It makes perfect sense to me that Neanderthals were hunter gatherers.
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Thanks, Robbie. I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
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I agree, Robbie. It does make sense.
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Hi John and Jacqui – great thoughts here … with the note that Neanderthals were omnivores … cheers Hilary
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Thank you,Hilary. I’m certainly glad they were.
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Like us. Neanderthals ate whatever kept them alive.
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An amazing book tour and launch so much information on these fascinating individuals and they were omnivores…just saying…Lovely to see you being part of Jacqui’s book launch John…Comgrats Jacqui here;s hoping you get many sales 🙂
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Thank you for supporting Jacqui, Carol.
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It was my pleasure especially as I got the food it was right up my street so to speak..I love Jacqui’s books 🙂
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😁
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Thank you, Carol! I’ll be over to your place as soon as I finish up here. What a great day!
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[…] Favorites: Guest Post – Jacqui Murry – Savage Land Series – Endangered Species and Badlands | Fiction Fav… Jacqui Murry writes wonderful books about life before modern history. I am so pleased to be a stop […]
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Thank you for the link, Traci. Happy New Year
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Clicking through. I haven’t visited Writers Unboxed in a long time. I used to love the content.
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