Scientists at the Gran Dolina cave in northern Spain have discovered a set of 10 skeletons that reveal evidence of ancient human cannibalism. The findings suggest that Homo antecessor, an archaic human relative, was indiscriminate about its cannibalism victims. One skeleton shows cut marks on a child’s neck bone, indicating the toddler was decapitated and eaten around 850,000 years ago.
The discovery reinforces the idea that early humans used their companions as a food resource and possibly to control territory. The researchers found that human bite marks are present on the bones, making it the most reliable evidence of cannibalism at the site. This is the earliest definitive example of human cannibalism to date, dating back 850,000 years.
The Gran Dolina cave has already revealed over two dozen examples of human cannibalism since its excavation began in 1997. The discovery of Homo antecessor has sparked debate about its position in the human family tree, with some experts suggesting it may be an offshoot of the human lineage or the ancestor of Neanderthals and humans.
The team’s findings shed new light on how early humans lived, died, and treated their dead nearly a million years ago. Further excavation at Gran Dolina may uncover more evidence that can help clarify H. antecessor’s place in human evolution.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/human-evolution/ancient-human-relative-cannibalized-toddlers-850-000-year-old-neck-bone-reveals