{
  "id": 18204483,
  "title": "Flat feet may have helped Neanderthals stay stable while carrying heavy loads",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/flat-feet-may-have-helped-neanderthals-stay-stable-while-carrying",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-04T23:10:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-11-flat-feet-neanderthals-stay-stable.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}