# Flat feet may have helped Neanderthals stay stable while carrying heavy loads

- Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories
- Published: 2026-11-04T23:10:01+00:00
- Category: Science
- Original: https://phys.org/news/2026-11-flat-feet-neanderthals-stay-stable.html
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/flat-feet-may-have-helped-neanderthals-stay-stable-while-carrying-heav-93e8e2/

In all likelihood, the Neanderthals had flat feet. But it was not a defect at all. Instead, it was the consequence of a precise functional strategy to reduce impact stress under heavy loads and maximize stability on mountainous or rough terrain.

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